STAFF ATTORNEY

AALDEF EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND YOUTH RIGHTS PROJECT

DESCRIPTION:

AALDEF's Educational Equity and Youth Rights Project conducts policy
advocacy and provides legal assistance to K-12 public school students,
parents, and teachers on such issues as English Language Learner (ELL)
programming, language access, school discipline, racial profiling,
anti-Asian harassment, school integration, school pushout, and
juvenile justice.  The Project also addresses some issues in higher
education, including affirmative action and access to education,
anti-Asian harassment and racial discrimination.

The Staff Attorney will work with other program staff on the following
activities:

1.   Develop and conduct policy advocacy and potential litigation on
behalf of Asian American and immigrant students in K-12 public
education and higher education;
2.   Conduct legal intakes and provide direct representation to
students in such matters as school discipline, ELL programming,
language access, anti-Asian harassment, and racial discrimination;
3.   Collaborate with Asian American community-based groups across the
country on public education and youth-related issues, and participate
in local and national education advocacy coalitions;
4.   Attend meetings with public officials, prepare testimony for
public hearings, and organize briefings on proposed legislation and
education policies;
5.   Develop youth-oriented community education trainings and outreach;
6.   Provide technical assistance to community-based organization staff;
7.   Analyze education statistics and demographic data to support
advocacy positions, review and analyze proposed legislation, draft and
edit policy reports and articles, and present at panel discussions and
conferences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Two to four years of experience in civil rights and public interest law;
Demonstrated commitment to social justice, including experience and
familiarity with Asian American communities and issues;
Strong interest in education policy and youth rights;
Detail-oriented, independent and focused;
Able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimum supervision;
Strong organizational and communication skills;
Active license to practice law in New York or another state in the
Northeast/ Mid-Atlantic Region;
Ability and willingness to travel, and work evenings and weekends.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

At least one year litigation experience;

Experience in and familiarity with:

·         Education and/or youth law;

·         Working directly with youth;

·         Conducting policy advocacy;

·         Collaborating with community-based organizations;

Ability to speak an Asian language.

TO APPLY:

Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to:

Educational Equity Attorney Search

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, NY 10013-2815
Fax: 212-966-4303

Email: info@aaldef.org (please put "Education Attorney" in the subject line)

DEADLINE:  Rolling.  The position will be filled as soon as possible.
Target start date: March 2011.