During this current situation with COVID-19, the ABA will
continue to accept and process applications for job opportunities.  We
will conduct our recruitment process via alternative means (virtual interviews)
for the time being.

The ABA recruits employees seeking opportunities for challenging and substantive work defending liberty and pursuing justice in the U.S. and around the world.  The ABA offers competitive employment benefits which include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k), commuter benefits, and more.

The ABA recruits employees seeking opportunities for challenging and substantive work defending liberty and pursuing justice in the U.S. and around the world.  The ABA offers competitive employment benefits which include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k), commuter benefits, and more.

 

The ABA Center on Children and the Law is seeking to fill a new Staff Attorney 1 position as part of our Kinship and Education project areas. This attorney will conduct substantive child welfare legal work for the Center’s grant funded projects. The role will include legal research on kinship, education and permanency issues, assistance to attorneys who provide state technical to implement policies related to kinship care and the improvement of the school experience for court involved youth, and development of materials and management of content and technological aspects of issue specific websites on kinship and education.

This attorney will conduct substantive child welfare legal work for the Center on Children and the Law’s grant funded projects in the Kinship Program Area and the Education Program Area. This attorney will conduct legal research, develop materials, and provide support to attorneys who provide technical assistance to state courts, lawyers, and child welfare agency staff.

This position is based in the Washington, DC office. 

Principal Job Duties/Responsibilities
-Work on various grants at the Center that focus on safety, permanency, and well-being for children in foster care.
–Conduct legal research and analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies.
–Develop materials, memorandum of law, and articles, including for publication.
–Provide substantive assistance to kinship and education projects, including collaborative work with state child welfare agencies, school districts, national kinship and education policy organizations, state and tribal Court Improvement Projects (CIP), lawyers, social workers, teachers, school administrators, and kin providers.
–Commit to promoting racial justice and cultural sensitivity in projects, training, and policies.
–Assist with co-managing and updating collaborative kinship website, www.grandfamilies.org and the collaborative education website, www.fostercareandeducation.org, including technical aspects and social media.
-Supervised by a Senior Attorney and work as a member of the kinship, education and permanency teams.
–Analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies/policy proposals; develops materials, memorandum of law, and articles, including for publication. 
–Perform other related duties as required.

 

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience
JD and admission to the bar in at least one jurisdiction. At least 1-3 years working in relevant specialized area of law. High level of skills in legal writing and research, oral and written communications, and organizational skills. Experience in child welfare and education law and policy analysis a plus. Experience working on kinship or education issues strongly preferred.

Applicants are encouraged to describe applicable experience in a cover letter as part of resume submission.

The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association please call 312-988-5188.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, IL, IN, DC, MD, VA, and TX.  Residency requirements may apply. 

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