Career Opportunity: Education Team Supervising Attorney
Organization Description
Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the only organization that provides free legal advocacy services to people with all types of disabilities, of all ages, throughout North Carolina. We are the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency and a recognized leader in advancing disability rights, with a strong staff and supportive, dynamic work environment. DRNC is well established and positioned for growth. Learn more at www.disabilityrightsnc.org.
Job Description
The Supervising Attorney for the Education Team will lead Disability Rights North Carolina’s (DRNC) legal advocacy to protect the rights of students with disabilities throughout North Carolina’s K–12 education systems.
The Supervising Attorney will lead the development and implementation of individual and systemic legal strategies, supervise and mentor attorneys and advocates, and maintain an active legal practice involving special education, school discipline and disability discrimination matters, and other education-related civil rights matters. In this role, the supervisor will identify opportunities to use litigation, administrative advocacy, policy advocacy, coalition work, and other strategies to achieve systemic change.
Job Duties include
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of DRNC’s strategy for systemic education-related legal initiatives and annual education related priorities
- Identify emerging legal issues, systemic barriers, and opportunities for litigation and other advocacy affecting students with disabilities
- Lead and supervise systemic legal advocacy addressing exclusionary discipline and the school-to-prison pipeline, including, the educational rights of youth with disabilities in juvenile detention facilities and other juvenile justice settings
- Develop and lead legal strategies addressing discriminatory exclusionary discipline, shortened and modified school days, inappropriate alternative placements, school-based referrals to law enforcement or juvenile court, and other practices that disproportionately exclude students with disabilities from access to education
- Represent clients in special education, school discipline, disability discrimination, and related matters through school-based advocacy, state administrative complaints, mediations, proceedings before the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), and litigation in state and federal court
- Evaluate potential litigation and systemic advocacy opportunities and participate in the development and review of litigation proposals
- Develop and litigate strategic individual and systemic cases, including case investigation, pleadings, discovery, motions practice, evidentiary hearings, negotiation, trial, appeal, and enforcement as appropriate
- Supervise assigned attorneys and advocates; manage team caseloads and priorities; review substantive legal work; and ensure high-quality representation and advocacy
- Mentor and develop team members through co-counseling, litigation opportunities, substantive feedback, training, and professional-development planning
- Build and maintain a cohesive, collaborative, and supportive team with clear objectives, accountability, and open communication
- Analyze federal and state statutes, regulations, case law, administrative decisions, and emerging legal developments involving special education, disability discrimination, school discipline, and related civil rights issues
- Collaborate with DRNC staff members across teams related to education, juvenile justice, institutional settings, and other overlapping systemic issues, including with policy staff concerning legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy
- Prepare legal analyses, comments, proposed legislation or regulations, amicus briefs, reports, and other substantive materials
- Provide technical assistance and training to attorneys, advocates, families, community organizations, and other stakeholders regarding the rights of students with disabilities
- Cultivate relationships with community partners, education and juvenile justice advocates, private and pro bono attorneys, state officials and agency staff, and other stakeholders
- Represent DRNC in coalitions, stakeholder groups, public hearings, task forces, and other forums related to education and youth justice
- Oversee grant deliverables and other program responsibilities assigned to the team and maintain appropriate case-management and program records
- Perform supervisory and administrative responsibilities and communicate the team’s priorities accomplishments, resource needs, and emerging issues to the Legal Director
Requirements
- JD degree and admission to practice law in North Carolina, or admission in another U.S. jurisdiction with eligibility and willingness to obtain North Carolina licensure promptly
- At least five years of legal experience
- Significant experience in education, disability, civil rights, juvenile justice, or another substantive area closely related to DRNC’s education practice
- Experience litigating special education matters before OAH and/or civil rights cases in state or federal court
- Demonstrated ability to develop legal and advocacy strategy, identify systemic issues, and translate broad organizational goals into effective litigation, policy, administrative, or other advocacy initiatives
- Strong legal research, analysis, writing, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills
- Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing substantive leadership to attorneys or other professional staff
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and with community partners
- Strong commitment to DRNC’s mission to advance and defend the rights of people with disabilities
Desirable qualifications
- Life experience with disability
- Significant experience litigating matters under the IDEA, Section 504, ADA, or other federal or state civil rights laws
- Experience developing or leading systemic or impact litigation and advocacy strategies
- Experience addressing the school-to-prison pipeline, juvenile justice, exclusionary school discipline, school-based law-enforcement involvement, or the educational rights of incarcerated or detained youth
- Experience in a legal services, nonprofit, civil rights, government, or public-interest environment
- Understanding of trauma and experience using trauma-informed approaches
- Ability to communicate in ASL, or Spanish
Compensation and Benefits
DRNC offers a competitive nonprofit compensation package. The hiring range is $79,000 and up, depending on experience. Disability Rights NC offers excellent benefits which include 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life and disability as well as generous paid time off and a retirement plan with an employer match.
How to Apply
Send a resume and detailed letter of interest explaining your qualifications and interest in the position to resumes.hr@disabilityrightsnc.org. Include Supervising Attorney – Education Team in the subject line of the email. No phone calls please.
In your letter of interest, please describe your experience most relevant to this position, including your experience developing legal or advocacy strategy, supervising or mentoring attorneys or other professional staff, and litigating education, disability, civil rights, or other contested matters before administrative tribunals or in state or federal court.
Candidates who advance in the hiring process will be asked to provide a non-confidential legal writing sample.
Closing Date: Priority given to resumes/cover letters received by September 18, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.
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Disability Rights NC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Individuals who increase the diversity of our team are encouraged to apply. We participate in E-verify.