Copaa Fellow, Staff Attorney - College Of Law

Description

This is a two-year fellowship position with the Youth Justice section of the Law Clinic sponsored by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) through a grant from the Oak Foundation. The primary focus for the staff attorney position is to work with the clinic professor and other staff assigned to the Youth Justice section to provide direct civil legal representation to indigent clients advocating for the educational rights and equity of students with disabilities. Areas of practice include representing parents of students with disabilities at IEP meetings, dissemination meetings, Manifestation Determination Review hearings, and other school-based meetings as well as in formal dispute resolution proceedings such as due process hearings, formal administrative complaints, and litigation in state and federal courts.

Examples of Duties

The staff attorney will assist with representation of clients on the education docket of the Law Clinic's Youth Justice section. The staff attorney will also support training, impact litigation, and systemic reform efforts aimed at upholding educational equity and civil rights for students with disabilities.

Typical Qualifications

• Advanced degree-J.D.;

• Member of the Louisiana bar;

• Law practice/litigation experience;

• Outstanding legal research and writing skills;

• Commitment to social justice lawyering;

• Highly organized, excellent communication skills, and case management experience;

• And 1-3 years' experience representing low-income and diverse client populations.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.