Description:

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $150,000.00 Annually

Reports to: Director, Legal Advocacy

Who We Are:
The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is seeking applicants for the position of Staff Attorney in the Office of Legal Advocacy. 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, with more than 3.2 million members. 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 affiliated local associations and individual members on 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 position is based in Richmond, VA with up to 50% travel throughout Virginia, with a primary focus on Northern Virginia and Virginia Beach.

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.
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.

Core Job Functions

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, with a focus on ensuring equitable outcomes and advancing racial and social justice in negotiated agreements.
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 — with attention to eliminating systemic inequities and advocating for fair treatment for all educators.
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 promote equitable access to public education and protect the rights of marginalized communities.
Partnering with the VEA Office of Equity, Justice & Learning on licensure, accreditation, and regulatory issues, and to develop and provide training and legal resources focused on anti-racism, social justice, and educational equity.
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 — ensuring messaging reflects VEA's commitment to equity and justice.
Assisting locals and affiliates to incorporate or maintain corporate status, serving as Registered Agent if admitted to the bar.

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

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