Staff Attorney

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 Pittsburgh 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, and 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.

We welcome applicants with the following skills and experience:

• Law degree and license to practice in Pennsylvania, or ability to be admitted by reciprocity.
• Minimum of 5 years of litigation experience. Experience in complex litigation, appellate advocacy, and/or policy advocacy, a plus. We encourage applications from senior attorneys with at least 8 years of relevant experience, in addition to other criteria.
• Excellent written and oral communication, research, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team, prioritize responsibilities, and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice, public interest law, civil rights, and/or advancing public education justice; previous experience in education law is not required.
• Experience working with people living in poverty, people of color, immigrant or indigenous communities, and/or those with disabilities.
• Commitment to continuous learning and exploring different areas of law.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae to hr@elc-pa.org with “Pittsburgh Attorney Applicant” in the subject line. Applicants will be accepted until the position is filled.

Compensation and Benefits: The salary range is $74,000 to $105,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance with 100% paid by employer for employee, flexible spending account, retirement plan, and professional development budget. Employees have a generous leave benefit inclusive of vacation, health, and holidays.

ELC-PA is a flexible hybrid office. Staff may work remotely up to three days a week. ELC-PA will consider requests for alternative remote work schedules. ELC-PA requires all employees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Medical and religious exemptions are reviewed on an individual basis in accordance with applicable law.

Education Law Center-PA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.