National Education Association

Temporary Staff Attorney (2 positions)
2-year term

Based in Washington, DC

 

If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to become part of a stellar team of professionals, we invite you to apply online today.

Posting Period: October 25, 2023 - Until Filled
Employee Type: NEAMAC NEA Managers, Attorneys, Confidentials
Position Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)
Salary Range: $98,939.00 - $189,228.00

Position Details:
The National Education Association (NEA) is America’s oldest and largest labor organization with some 3 million members. The mission of the NEA is to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education by preparing every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

NEA seeks two Attorneys for two (2) year term positions in our fifteen-member legal team in the NEA Office of General Counsel. The widely varied work of the NEA Office of General Counsel includes:

• Significant amicus work before the U.S. Supreme Court, significant appellate litigation in the federal and state court systems, and district court litigation before federal and state trial courts on cases of cross-cutting national significance. NEA’s current docket, for example, includes challenges to state censorship laws and state voucher laws; challenges to the repeal of due process protections for teachers and the repeal of collectively bargained rights and organizing protections; defenses of exclusive representation, freedom of association and inclusive curriculum and education practices; and enforcement of student and educator civil rights.
• Providing in-house counsel to NEA’s elected leadership and staff as well as to state and local education associations on an array of matters including organizing campaigns and union governance issues, walk-outs, protections for educator advocacy in and outside of school, internal union operations, non-profit regulation, campaign finance, lobbying, data security and privacy, intellectual property and contracts.
• Representing the views of NEA on federal initiatives impacting NEA, NEA affiliates, and their members and leaders including federal education, labor, wage and hour, civil rights, immigration, federal judicial nominations and federal courts issues.
• Assisting NEA state affiliates in their provision of direct legal services to NEA members. Among other things, that assistance includes supporting the defense of educators targeted for teaching inclusively, providing regular updates to, and holding an annual education conference for the National Organization of Lawyers for Educational Associations (“NOLEA”), a national network of lawyers representing school employees and their associations.
• Providing counsel to NEA regarding affiliate relationships, tools for improving the representation of NEA members, tools to assist NEA members in their advocacy work and legal guidance needed to support affiliate and member advocacy.

Responsibilities: Given the nature of the work of the NEA Office of General Counsel, and the responsibilities of this position in particular, applicants should be interested in a position in which the focus of their work will be at least three of the major areas outlined below:

• Develop and litigate cases challenging the use of public education funds to fund private schools that discriminate on various basis.
• Develop and litigate cases challenging classroom censorship, book bans, educator gag orders, the reduction or even elimination of tenure rights at the K-12 and higher education level.
• Provide advice and counsel regarding the array of legal issues that an in-house counsel operation must handle in a major national union including relationships with affiliates, subsidiaries and other organizations.
• Develop and present trainings on a wide variety of legal issues and skills for state affiliate counsel, as well as for NEA and state and local leaders and staff.
• Monitor and analyze legal developments of interest to NEA and its members, including legal review and analysis of federal laws and regulations, and provide regular updates on developments of interest to NOLEA and others.
• Provide guidance on enterprise-wide risk and compliance issues for NEA and affiliates
• Assist with other legal matters (internal and external) as needed.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school required.
• Five or more years of legal practice required with preference given to significant litigation or advice and counsel work with unions or other nonprofit organizations.
• Excellent oral and written advocacy and communication skills required, including significant writing experience, expertise in advising on complex nonprofit organization issues, or similar significant work. Applicants must submit a significant writing sample to be considered for position.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately analyze and resolve the range of legal issues that an in-house counsel operation must handle in a major national union including its relationships with affiliates, subsidiaries and partner organizations.
• Must be willing and able to serve as a generalist providing advice and counsel on operations matters as needed.
• Demonstrated commitment to labor and public education work preferred.
• Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks concurrently. Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as to collaborate in a collegial environment.
• Healthy respect for colleagues, employees, and superiors.
• A sense of humor.

Apply Here:
https://nea.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/ExternalCareers/job/NEA-Headquarters/Temporary-Staff-Attorney---2-year-term-_2023-00121-1

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided: The position involves skill in using a computer and/or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

NEA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability.