The Bronx Defenders is Hiring an Education Attorney

EDUCATION ATTORNEY

The Adolescent Defense Project (“ADP”) provides specialized representation to The Bronx Defenders’ youngest clients: 14-, 15-, and 16-year olds who are prosecuted as adults. Consistent with our Holistic Defense model, ADP works to address the issues that drive our young clients into the criminal justice system and to mitigate the consequences of their arrest. Bringing together criminal defense attorneys and social workers specialized in representing and supporting youth, the Adolescent Defense Project has addressed the myriad problems faced by young people for over four years. As one of many specialized programs at The Bronx Defenders, The Adolescent Defense Project forms part of a larger interdisciplinary team that includes family defense attorneys, immigration attorneys, and civil legal advocates.

ADP is hiring an Education Attorney to work with our young clients, their families, and our Holistic Defense team.  The Education Attorney will be a member of the defense team from the inception of a client’s case until its resolution. During the pendency of the case, the Education Attorney will conduct an educational assessment and create an education plan for ADP clients. The Education Attorney will also defend adolescents at school suspension hearings, attend Individualized Education Plans (“IEP”) meetings, enroll ADP clients in appropriate educational environments, facilitate school safety transfers, and connect them with educational services to quickly resolve their pending criminal matters and place them on a pathway to success.

RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Develop an Education Assessment tool to evaluate clients’ educational needs
• Conduct an education assessment for each ADP client at the inception of their criminal case using the developed assessment tool
• Create an education plan for each ADP client, which may include collaborating with necessary programs, schools, teachers, guidance counselors, school administrators and reviewing relevant records to implement the plan
• Represent all adolescent clients in the Criminal Defense Practice at school suspension hearings and attend Individualized Education Plan (“IEP”) meetings for ADP clients who are in special education classes
• Represent ADP clients at impartial hearings and other Department of Education administrative hearings
• Enroll ADP clients in appropriate education environments and facilitate school safety transfers
• Appear in court with ADP clients and their criminal defense attorney, as needed, to discuss the client’s educational plan and progress with the judge and the prosecutor
• Write the education portion of all Pre Pleading Investigations for ADP clients
• Participate in city or state-wide policy coalitions and provide Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars to The Bronx Defenders on students’ and families’ rights in the public school system
• Create internal resource guides on students’ rights, the New York City public school system, and other educational resources in the Bronx
• Build relationships with educational programs in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan, identifying key personnel who can facilitate an adolescent client’s re-integration into school or an educational program

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. J.D. degree from an accredited law school
2. At least 2 years’ experience working in education law, including direct representation of adolescents at suspension, administrative and impartial hearings
3. Strong organizational skills and ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision
4. Excellent verbal and written skills; strong legal analytical skills and problem solving ability
5. Excellent interpersonal skills; applicants must be independent, creative and highly motivated
6. Spanish fluency preferred
7. Strong commitment to racial justice and youth justice reform
8. Patience, a strong and collaborative work ethic, good judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Salary commensurate with experience.  Excellent benefits.

To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, and references electronically via email to jobs@bronxdefenders.org by the end of business on April 8th, 2016 and put “Education Attorney” in the subject line.  Resumes will only be accepted electronically. No faxes or phone calls please.

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer: People of color; women; people with disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; and people with personal experience with the criminal justice system are welcome and encouraged to apply.