Managing Attorney - Education

Disability Rights Florida; Gainesville (FL); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Personal holidays

Health insurance

Vision and dental

401(k) with match

Life Insurance

Loan forgiveness

AD&D

Disability insurance

Paid holidays

LRAP/ PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Disability Rights Florida seeks a Managing Attorney for its Education Team to supervise attorneys and support staff, and to provide high-quality legal representation for individuals with disabilities.

The role requires extensive litigation experience under IDEA and Rehabilitation Act, willingness to travel across Florida, and strong leadership to guide the Education Team's advocacy, outreach, and education efforts.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience as an attorney, preferably in civil rights and education.
• Experience supervising attorney and non-attorney staff.
• Member of the Florida Bar; knowledge of state and federal law and procedures.
• Litigation experience in civil rights and education matters, including appellate practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services and supervise work of attorneys and non-attorney staff.
• Appear in administrative hearings, state and federal courts, and agency meetings.
• Advocate, educate, and litigate to advance the rights of people with disabilities.
• Travel statewide throughout Florida as needed.

Skills

Civil rights litigation

Team leadership

Legal supervision

English communication

Education

Member of Florida Bar

5+ years of attorney experience

Tools

Electronic legal research systems

Microsoft Office

Travel coordination tools

Job description

Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Gainesville, Tallahassee or fully remote.

$90,500 (Scales Up Based on Experience)

Including paid vacation, sick leave and personal holidays, contributed employer medical, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) plan with an impressive employer contribution match, Life, loan forgiveness, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, generous paid holidays as well as a host of additional optional benefits. Employment at Disability Rights Florida is eligible employment for LRAP and PSLF.

Application Deadline

Open until filled. Preference will be given to applications submitted prior to July 17, 2026.

Who We Are

Disability Rights Florida (Disability Rights) is a not-for-profit corporation that acts as the state’s federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System for individuals with disabilities. As Florida’s P&A System, Disability Rights’ mission is to advocate, educate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination, and choices for all people with disabilities.

Purpose of the Job

This job posting is for a Managing Attorney with our Education Team. Our Education Team works to protect and advocate for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities in institutional settings, the community, and in Florida’s public schools. Our attorneys provide free legal services and engage in individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The Managing Attorney is expected to assist the Team Director in managing attorney and non-attorney staff and overseeing the Education Team’s work. The Managing Attorney is also responsible for delivery of legal services provided by Disability Rights Florida, including legal supervision of work assigned to advocate/investigators and other non-attorney staff. The Managing Attorney will provide legal representation to clients in a variety of forums. The Managing Attorney is expected to appear in administrative hearings, state and federal court, state agency and legislative meetings in addition to providing advocacy, education, outreach and other services related to disability issues. Experience litigating cases involving violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Rehabilitation Act is required. Federal court experience preferred. Statewide travel and a favorable background check are required.

This position is an opportunity to work for a dynamic organization on the front lines of protecting and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Our mission is to advocate, educate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination and choices for all people with disabilities. We are a passionate, highly motivated, dedicated group of professionals and we are looking for exceptional talent, with the same passion for our mission, to join our team.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience as an attorney, with preference given to work in civil rights areas, and especially in education.
• Experience supervising attorney and non-attorney legal staff.
• Member of the Florida Bar.
• Knowledge of current relevant state and federal law, regulations, court and administrative procedure as well as rules of professional conduct.
• Experience in working cases involving violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Rehabilitation Act.
• Significant legal/litigation experience in state or federal courts in areas of civil rights and education litigation, including case selection, client contact, complex motion or appellate practice and litigation through jury or non-jury resolution.
• Ability to read, write and speak professionally and communicate effectively in English, including a working knowledge of correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure and legal citation.
• Able to provide effective supervision of staff, demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, develop effective solutions and implement recommendations.
• Knowledge of management principles and strategic planning, organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Sound professional judgment and ability to interface effectively with staff at all levels and maintain productive working relationships. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team with other professionals.
• Proficient with electronic legal research systems.
• Proficient with PC and Microsoft operating system and Microsoft Office, especially Word, familiarity with client databases and data reporting.
• Availability to travel, sometimes on short notice, throughout Florida, including rural areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Government clearance by the United States Government Office of Personnel Management is preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons with disabilities.
• Experience working with and/or sensitivity to school-aged children and adults with disabilities.
• A passion for working with mission-driven organizations.
• Prior work with a public organization, non-profit organization or law firm.

We encourage individuals with disabilities and from other diverse backgrounds to apply.