Family Advocacy, Support, and Training (FAST) Education Staff Attorney

Description

Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV) is seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and highly skilled Staff Attorney to join our Family Advocacy, Support, and Training (FAST) initiative within the Behavioral Health Advocacy (BHA) Unit. LAWV is a statewide non-profit legal services organization committed to providing high-quality civil legal representation, systemic advocacy, and community education to low-income and vulnerable West Virginians across all 55 counties.

The FAST Program operates under contract with the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) Office of Behavioral Health Services to provide specialized advocacy and legal representation for children with complex behavioral health needs, developmental disabilities, and emotional challenges, as well as their families. The FAST Education Staff Attorney provides direct representation and systemic advocacy in education law—focusing primarily on special education rights, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 accommodation plans, school disciplinary hearings, and administrative proceedings—to ensure children receive equal access to appropriate educational opportunities and community-based support services.

Under the supervision of the Legal Services Manager and BHA Program Director, and in coordination with regional Supervising Attorneys, the FAST Education Staff Attorney will perform the following core duties:

Direct Legal Representation & Advocacy

• •Provide high-quality legal advice, brief services, and direct representation to eligible children and families in administrative law proceedings, school district meetings, state agency hearings, and judicial courts.
• •Represent clients in special education matters, including eligibility evaluations, IEP development and enforcement, Section 504 plans, manifestation determination reviews, and expulsion/disciplinary hearings.
• •Gather and evaluate medical, psychological, and educational evidence; interview clients and witnesses; conduct legal research; and draft legal pleadings, briefs, administrative appeals, and correspondence.
• •Identify systemic barriers in educational and behavioral health delivery systems affecting low-income children and develop legal strategies to address them.

Technical Assistance, Training, & Outreach

• •Conduct community legal education, outreach, and workshops for parents, family support networks, community partners, and advocacy groups regarding special education rights and behavioral health resources.
• •Provide technical legal assistance, substantive consultation, and co-counseling to regional office attorneys and advocates handling education or juvenile matters.
• •Participate in statewide LAWV task forces, practice groups, and relevant inter-agency committees to improve legal delivery systems for vulnerable children.

Grant Administration & Professional Standards

• •Maintain complete, accurate, and contemporaneous client case records in the LAWV electronic Case Management System.
• •Account for 100% of work time on bi-weekly LAWV timesheets, ensuring proper allocation to designated grant funding sources.
• •Timely prepare and submit required grant reports, progress data, and compliance records in accordance with LAWV policies and funder requirements.
• •Maintain strict client confidentiality pursuant to Rule 1.6 of the West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct and federal/state privacy mandates.

Requirements

Educational & Licensing Credentials

• •Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• •Admission to practice law in the State of West Virginia and in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar; OR eligibility for admission under West Virginia Supreme Court Rule 9 (for attorneys licensed in another jurisdiction); OR eligibility to sit for the next scheduled West Virginia Bar Examination (Law Graduates will be considered under designated pay scales).

Experience & Competencies

• •Demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing the legal and social issues affecting low-income constituents, children with special needs, and vulnerable families.
• •Substantive knowledge or prior experience in education law, special education proceedings (IDEA/Section 504), administrative law, or behavioral health advocacy is strongly preferred.
• •Strong analytical, legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• •Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact constructively and empathetically with diverse client populations, multidisciplinary teams, and community partners.
• •Ability to work independently, manage a complex caseload, balance administrative responsibilities, and use modern legal technologies, including cloud-based case management software.
• •Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel regionally/statewide for hearings, outreach, and training as required.