Staff Attorney

Date of Posting:               November 30, 2022

Deadline for Applying:    Open Until Filled

Reports to:                           VEA General Counsel

The VEA is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Staff Attorney in the Office of Legal Advocacy. VEA is a statewide community of nearly 40,000 teachers and school support professionals working for the betterment of public education in the Commonwealth. VEA is the state affiliate of the National Education Association with more than 3.2 million members. See our website at  www.veanea.org.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and current admission to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Virginia or the ability to secure admission to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Virginia in a reasonable amount of time.  At least seven years of litigation experience.

Skills and experience in analyzing, interpreting, and explaining law, regulation, policy, court, .and administrative rulings.

Skills and experience counseling, advising, persuading, and dealing with individuals and local associations.

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 argument, advocacy and representation, training or explaining, and lobbying.

Familiarity and interest in public education, collective bargaining, other labor matters, employment, benefits, and retirement, organizing and politics, and general legal matters affecting VEA Members, Leaders, and Affiliates.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Representing, advising, and counseling VEA Members in matters involving school employment, actions with students, teaching license, retirement, and related matters with local school boards and school administrators, local social service departments and the Virginia Department of Social Services, Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Retirement System, Equal Employment Agencies, and Virginia Courts.

Representing and advising VEA, staff, and locals in preparation for and engaging 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.

Advising, counseling, informing, and assisting Virginia Education Association Officers and Staff.

Working with the VEA Office of Government Relations & Research and Legislative Committee to analyze policy questions, review and comment on proposals and bills, draft, and support lobbying and legislative activities.

Working with the VEA Office of Teaching and Learning on license, accreditation, and regulatory issues, and to provide training or resources to trainers.

Working with the VEA Office of Communications & Public Affairs to cover public education and member rights, respond to web questions, prepare digital materials, and provide information to Members and the public.

Assists locals and affiliates to incorporate or maintain corporate status.

Note: The Staff Attorney is not allowed to accept outside clients while employed by or the VEA.

Salary and Fringe Benefits:  The hiring range is $85,000 – $115,000. Starting salary is negotiable within this range, depending upon experience.  The position includes an excellent fringe benefits package.

Application Procedure:

To apply, please visit https://www.veanea.org/careers/ and click on the link for current openings at the bottom of the page.

A cover letter supporting your qualifications for the position is required.

VEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To apply, please visit https://www.veanea.org/careers/ and click on the link for current openings at the bottom of the page.

A cover letter supporting your qualifications for the position is required.