Staff Attorney - Education Law Advocacy Project (ELAP)

2-3 yrs required

Full-time

No

Job Title: Staff Attorney - Education Law Advocacy Project (ELAP)

Organization: Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services Inc. (SMRLS)

Salary: Starting at $74,083+ Pursuant to scale, plus fringe benefits

Experience: 2-3 years of legal experience preferred

Location: Hybrid environment, any of SMRLS' office locations in Southern Minnesota

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Responsibilities:

- Provide legal assistance to low-income students and their families to ensure they receive appropriate educational programs, services, accommodations, and due process.
- Represent client families in enforcing laws addressing barriers to equal education outcomes, such as special education needs, discrimination, inadequate English language skills, homelessness, and lack of parental involvement.
- Conduct negotiations and litigation, when necessary, on behalf of student clients and their families.
- Conduct community outreach and education to client communities across SMRLS' 33-county service area.
- Maintain a caseload in compliance with SMRLS' practice standards and policies.
- Travel across Southern Minnesota may be required.

Qualifications:

- Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota or a candidate for the bar.
- 2-3 years of legal experience and a strong interest in education law preferred.
- Prior experience working with low-income clients strongly preferred.
- Strong public speaking and writing skills.
- Good judgment and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
- Bilingual applicants, especially those fluent in Spanish, Hmong, Karen, or Somali, are strongly preferred.

Organization Mission:

SMRLS is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal help to low-income and elderly individuals in the 33 counties of Southern Minnesota. The organization's mission is to provide high-quality legal services in a respectful manner to help clients enforce their legal rights, maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness, and abuse, and empower individuals to achieve equal opportunity and economic self-reliance. SMRLS works in partnership with the private bar, the bi-partisan Legislature, the Minnesota Supreme Court, and other legal aid programs to provide access to justice. Hundreds of volunteer attorneys help staff provide legal assistance to approximately 10,000 eligible persons each year.

Commitment to Diversity:

SMRLS is committed to diversity in the workplace and encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply for job opportunities.

About SMRLS:

- Non-profit law firm founded in 1909.
- Receives federal, state, local, public, and private funding.
- Provides free legal help to low-income and elderly individuals in Southern Minnesota.
- Hundreds of volunteer attorneys assist with legal assistance.
- Client-centered organization with a mission to provide high-quality legal services in a respectful manner.
- Adheres to practice standards, guiding principles, and racial justice policies to fulfill its mission.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to John Joachim at or at 55 East 5th Street, Suite 800, St. Paul, MN 55101.

H1: Join Our Team as a Staff Attorney for Education Law Advocacy
H2: Make a Difference in Your Community with SMRLS

Bold Headlines:

- Staff Attorney Position Open at SMRLS
- Help Low-Income Students and Their Families Access Equal Education with SMRLS
- Join a Mission-Driven Organization: SMRLS is Hiring a Staff Attorney for Education Law Advocacy
- Work for Social Justice and Empowerment: Apply for the ELAP Staff Attorney Position at SMRLS

Not specified

Fringe benefits

Bilingual preferred (especially Spanish, Hmong, Karen, or Somali)

Legal assistance, negotiation, litigation, community outreach, community education, public speaking, writing, judgment, teamwork, bilingual (Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Somali)

Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota or be a candidate for the bar, 2-3 years of legal experience, strong interest in education law, prior experience working with low-income clients, strong public speaking skills, excellent writing skills, good judgment, ability to learn quickly, ability to work constructively with a wide variety of people, ability to work independently and as part of a team

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to John Joachim at the given address or email

Qualification and Experience Licensed to practice law in Minnesota or candidate for the bar, 2-3 years of legal experience, strong interest in education law, prior experience working with low-income clients, strong public speaking skills, excellent writing skills, good judgment, ability to learn quickly, ability to work constructively with a wide variety of people, ability to work independently and as part of a team

Legal