Staff Attorney

The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is seeking applicants for the position of Staff Attorney in the Office of Legal Services. VEA is the largest union of teachers and school support professionals in the Commonwealth, working for the betterment of public education for every student. It is the state affiliate of the National Education Association. VEA is committed to advancing racial, social, and economic justice in education and empowering educators to advocate for themselves, their students, and their communities. 

See our website at www.veanea.org.

Position Description 

The Staff Attorney provides legal advice and representation to the Virginia Education Association (VEA), its officers, governance bodies, and staff, as well as to affiliate local associations and individual members on labor, employment-related and education law matters. The Staff Attorney supports the VEA’s mission by advancing and protecting the legal rights of educators, promoting equitable treatment in the workplace, and contributing to strategies that strengthen collective action and advocacy for public education employees across the Commonwealth. This is a hybrid position based in Richmond, VA with up to 50% travel throughout Virginia.

This position will primarily support VEA’s labor law practice by working on legislative initiatives and counseling local affiliates on collective action and bargaining initiatives. Additionally, the incumbent will represent members in employment related litigation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and current admission to the Virginia State Bar.
• Skills and experience in analyzing, interpreting, and explaining law, regulation, policy, court and administrative rulings, and communicating those clearly to a range of audiences.
• Skills and experience counseling, advising, persuading, and building trust with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice, equity, and inclusion in legal advocacy, public education, or labor relations.
• Skills and experience writing clearly and concisely for all types of audiences including legal pleadings and briefs; assessments and opinions; letters and messages; policy, legislative and contract provisions, and articles or stories.
• Skills and experience with all types of oral communication for various audiences including legal arguments, advocacy and representation, training or explaining, and lobbying.
• Familiarity and interest in public education, collective bargaining, labor matters, employment, benefits and retirement, organizing and politics, and general legal matters affecting VEA members, leaders, and affiliates or other labor organizations, preferred but not required. 

Duties 

• Representing and advising VEA, staff, and locals in preparation for and engagement in the process of seeking school board resolutions to allow for collective bargaining, seeking recognition, and engaging in collective bargaining as the exclusive representative for bargaining units.
• Representing, advising, and counseling VEA members in matters involving school employment, student interactions, teaching license, retirement, and related matters before local school boards and administrators, social service departments, the Virginia Department of Social Services, the Department of Education, the Virginia Employment Commission, the Virginia Retirement System, equal employment agencies, and Virginia courts.
• Advising, counseling, informing, and assisting Virginia Education Association officers and staff, including on issues of equity, civil rights, and inclusive practices.
• Collaborating with the VEA Office of Government Relations & Research and Legislative Committee to analyze policy questions, review and comment on proposals and bills, draft language, and support lobbying and legislative activities that advance VEA’s mission and commitment to a high-quality public education.
• Working with the VEA Office of Communications & Public Affairs to address public education and member rights issues, respond to web questions, prepare digital materials, and provide information to members and the public.
• Assisting locals and affiliates to incorporate or maintain corporate status.

Salary and Benefits 

The starting salary is negotiable, depending upon experience. VEA offers a robust benefits package designed to support long-term stability and wellbeing, including

• 95% company paid health insurance, 100% paid dental and vision
• defined-benefit pension plan
• Generous leave policies and holidays 
• 100% employer funded health wellness account

 VEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

VEA is committed to building a diverse team that reflects 

EA ISour membership and the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from underrepresented backgrounds.