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Sands Anderson PC is seeking an experience attorney in education law to join the Schools & Education team. This attorney must have demonstrated success in school & education law specifically with experience particularly in special education administrative hearings. Admission to the Virginia Bar is required.

Members of our Schools & Education law team focus specifically on special education law and we support the majority of Virginia public school divisions with their special education legal needs. We assist school boards with every aspect of special education law, from compliance training and proactive prevention to providing legal support during Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and § 504 meetings. In addition, we regularly handle special education due process proceedings. This attorney position offers the opportunity to work on a wide variety of matters, including but not limited to, special education, student discipline, student privacy and records, FOIA, policy development, employment, and constitutional law.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Independently manage all aspects of a busy caseload.
• Interpret and render advice on laws and regulations that pertain to schools, students, parents, teachers, supervisors, school boards and school districts.
• Participate in IEP meetings.
• Represent school personnel in matters involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Represent school boards during state and federal government investigations and enforcement hearings in state, federal, and appellate courts.
• Litigate due process claims before the Office for Dispute Resolution.
• Participate in the development and review of local policies and procedures.
• Negotiate creative and efficient solutions to resolve difficult student disputes.
• Conduct trainings.
• Visit clients as needed.

Job Requirements:

• Member “In Good Standing” with the Virginia Bar.
• 3 or more years job experience, preferable in special education law.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to function as a member of a direct service team.
• Self-motivated, energetic, team-oriented with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated interviewing, investigating and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Public speaking experience and/or skills.
• Experience representing clients in administrative hearings due process hearings, as well as state and federal court.
• Demonstrated success in resolving cases through the required resolution sessions, mediation, or through direct negotiations with student/family counsel.
• Create and/or present trainings on various education topics as needed.
• Maintain proper documentation of activities and meet a billable hour requirement.
• Prepare and prioritize cases, maintain files and databases with all relevant client information in a shared caseload.

Sands Anderson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drugfree Workplace.

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