Description:
The Staff Attorney position is within the Special Education Clinic. The Special Education Clinic provides services to students of all disabilities and their families in securing vital special educational placements, supports, and services. This Staff Attorney position involves providing legal advice and representation to court-involved students with disabilities (or those at risk of court involvement) on special education issues. Our goal is to empower parents and families to be advocates while ensuring the rights of students with disabilities.Job Summary:
The attorney will participate in all aspects of the Clinic's work including:
- providing brief written and telephone advice.
- oral and written advocacy.
- training/outreach to court personnel and community agencies on special education law.
- direct representation at IEP meetings, mediations, and expulsion hearings for court-involved students with disabilities or those at risk of court involvement.
- direct representation in due process hearings or federal court.
- Systemic litigation and advocacy.
Requirements:
- A law degree and license (preference for an attorney with 5-7 years of experience, but new graduates may apply even though they are not yet licensed; applicants barred in other states may apply if their UBE score qualifies them to be barred in IL or they are willing to take the bar exam).
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Experience with and/or commitment to working with low-income and diverse client populations
- Occasional statewide travel is required.
- Commitment to civil rights.
- Personal or professional experience with people with disabilities or court-involved students is preferred.
- This position is located in Chicago.
