Education Law Attorney

Udall Shumway PLC; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Udall Shumway PLC in Mesa, AZ, is seeking an experienced attorney to join its education law practice. This is a full-time role advising school districts, community colleges, and universities on federal and state education laws and compliance, including special education matters.

You will draft policies and contracts, conduct legal research, prepare written opinions, and represent clients in administrative proceedings, hearings, and mediations.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• Active Arizona State Bar membership (or ability to promptly obtain).
• 2-5 years of education or government legal experience preferred.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise schools and districts on federal and state education laws and compliance.
• Draft policies, contracts, employment agreements, and other legal documents.
• Conduct legal research and prepare written opinions and recommendations.
• Represent clients in administrative proceedings, hearings, and mediations.
• Maintain organized case files and collaborate with colleagues.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Company Description

Udall Shumway PLC is a full-service law firm founded in 1965. The firm provides professional representation across a broad range of personal, family, business, and corporate matters. The firm is mid-sized, offering diverse legal services and specialized expertise while maintaining close, personalized relationships with clients. The firm focuses on quality legal services and uses its talents and resources to help clients pursue excellence and effective solutions, with client needs as a primary concern.

Role Description

The firm has an established and significant state-wide education law practice.The firm’s education law group provides legal advice and representation to school districts and charter schools (pre-K through grade 12), as well as community colleges and universities.This is a full-time, Attorney role based in Mesa, AZ.

Day to day responsibilities include advising educational institutions on federal and state laws, regulations, and compliance matters, including special education matters. Other duties include drafting and reviewing policies, contracts, employment agreements, and other legal documents, as well as conducting legal research and preparing written opinions and recommendations. The Attorney may represent clients in administrative proceedings, litigation, mediations, and hearings, attend board meetings and provide counsel to educational leaders and governing bodies, and assist with labor and employment matters, student issues, public records requests, governance, procurement, and disabilities law matters. The role also involves regular client communication, collaboration with other attorneys and staff, and maintaining organized case files to ensure timely and effective representation.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the Arizona State Bar (or ability to very promptly obtain admission).
• 2-5 years of education law, employment law or government legal experience preferred.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective client communication skills and ability to collaborate with colleagues in a team-oriented environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience advising public entities or governmental organizations.
• Familiarity with Arizona education laws and regulations.