Staff Attorney / Senior Attorney

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association is seeking a full-time attorney in Philadelphia to focus on direct representation, impact litigation, and policy advocacy for underserved students. This role demands a commitment to public interest law, civil rights, and advancing educational equity.

Ideal candidates will have experience working with students of color, those impacted by poverty, and other marginalized groups. Join us as we work to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and ensure fair access to quality public education for all children.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil rights.
• Experience in representing underserved students and communities.
• Knowledge of educational equity issues and advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Engage in direct representation for clients.
• Participate in impact litigation to advance education rights.
• Conduct policy advocacy on behalf of underserved students.

Job description

Position Description

The Education Law Center-PA is a statewide civil rights advocacy organization that has played a leading role on key issues of educational equity since 1975.

ELC-PA seeks a full‑time attorney in our Philadelphia office to engage in direct representation, impact litigation, and policy advocacy.

Candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil rights, racial justice, and advancing the education rights of underserved students, including:

• students of color
• students impacted by poverty
• students with disabilities
• multilingual learners
• students experiencing homelessness
• LGBTQ youth
• students involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems
• students at the intersection of these identities

Our work seeks to dismantle the school‑to‑prison pipeline, secure fair funding for public schools, and ensure that all children have access to a quality public education.