R0067061 Staff Attorney, Education Rights Institute, School of Law

The Education Rights Institute (ERI) at the University of Virginia School of Law seeks a dynamic and collaborative Staff Attorney. This is a new position that will work under the direction of and closely with the Institute’s director, Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson. This is a gift funded restricted position contingent on funding and performance.

Launched in 2023, the ERI aims to expand the opportunity for every student in the United States to enjoy a right to a high-quality education that empowers them to be college and career ready and engaged civic participants. ERI accomplishes this goal by advancing the following strategic priorities:

• Producing scholarship and commentary that engages public debate and support for legislation or litigation guaranteeing a federal right to a high-quality education;

• Producing reports videos and webinars that help school districts understand their obligations to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and engaging with school districts to support their understanding and compliance so that all students can enjoy equal educational opportunity;

• Amplifying research about educational opportunity gaps and their impact on individuals, families, communities, democracy and our economy through digital and other modern communication strategies to increase public awareness of these gaps;
• Serving as a catalyst that expands the capacity of school districts to better utilize federal laws, regulations, policies, research and assistance that can increase access to high-quality schools and close opportunity gaps so that more students are college and career ready and engaged citizens;
• Producing reports, videos and webinars that help school districts understand their obligations to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and engaging with school districts to support their understanding and compliance so that all students can enjoy equal educational opportunity; and,
• Hosting invitation-only and public convenings and events about the above topics.

The Institute does not represent individual clients in legal proceedings.

The Staff Attorney will help develop and implement a strategy to directly engage with school districts, school board members, educators, students, families and community members to increase their understanding and application of federal laws, policies, research and assistance. This will focus on research and writing publications for these audiences. Through this work, the Staff Attorney will support ERI’s efforts to expand the capacity of school districts, school board members and educators to deliver a high-quality education with a focus on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Staff Attorney will also help raise awareness of Title VI among students, families and community members.

The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities include:

• Write reports, editorials, essays and articles that encourage and support school district compliance with Title VI.
• Work with the ERI team on the development of webinars and workshops that guide districts in developing a plan for comprehensive review of their policies and programs for Title VI compliance.
• Research and analyze the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforcement priorities and trends with respect to compliance agreements.
• Implement a strategy that builds relationships with selected school district leadership.
• Understand and be able to explain existing civil rights and policy obligations under Title VI to school district staff and educators.
• Analyze federal and state civil rights data and other sources to identify school districts that may benefit from the Education Rights Institute’s support in understanding how best to comply with Title VI.
• Attend conferences and meet in person with school district staff and leadership, as needed.
• Work diligently, efficiently and independently in a fast-paced, detail-oriented and highly flexible work environment.
• Support and collaborate on the overall work of the Institute with all its staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• J.D. from an ABA approved law school or foreign equivalent and be an active member of a state bar in good standing.
• One year of related experience.
• Experience translating complex legal concepts into actionable items for school district and school board members.
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other professionals to achieve common aims.
• Proficiency with standard office software to include Microsoft 365.

 Preferred Experience:

• Law review or journal experience.
• Legal experience, such as a judicial clerkship, fellowship, internship or other experience.
• Experience working in the field of education law and policy, civil rights or closely related field.
• Experience working with educators, school district leaders, state and federal education leaders, families or community members.
• Comfortable making large and small group presentations.

This is a full-time Academic University Staff position with benefits. 

This is a gift funded restricted position contingent on funding and performance.

This position is available for an immediate start date and is eligible for remote work consistent with Law School policies, with a preference for the ability to work in-office.

This position will require the ability to travel domestically from time to time.

To Apply: 

Apply online at http://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en/job/R0067061/Staff-Attorney-Education-Rights-Institute-School-of-Law. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile. Complete the application, and upload the following:

• Cover letter
• CV/resume
• Writing sample
• Names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate.

*** Please note that ALL REQUESTED documents MUST be uploaded in the resume submission field, and you can combine documents into one PDF. *** 

***Applications that do not have all the required documents will not receive full consideration.*** 

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Kimberly Robinson, Professor of Law, at krobinson@law.virginia.edu. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Marcus Rozier, Academic Recruiter at hjv5vm@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia School of Law is consistently recognized as one of the top law schools in the country. The environment at the Law School is both active and supportive, with a strong sense of collegiality among students, faculty, and staff and a commitment to excellence and service.

The School of Law is located in Charlottesville, VA, a college town setting with natural beauty and significant historical relevance in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Charlottesville is a wonderful place to live with an extraordinary quality of life, often ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.