Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney - EdLaw - NLJ500 Fresno, CA Full-Time On-Site

For more than 35 years, our NLJ500 firm has stood at the forefront of public agency and education law, delivering innovative and tailored legal solutions to clients across the state. With eight offices statewide, our attorneys serve school districts, community colleges, charter schools, and municipalities across a broad range of practice areas including labor and employment, special education, governance, litigation, and public finance. We are widely recognized as a trusted thought leader, regularly publishing legal updates, hosting trainings, and producing industry leading resources that help public entities navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Joining our team means becoming part of a collaborative culture built on shared vision, professional excellence, and a deep commitment to serving the communities that shape the future.

Position Overview

We are seeking an Associate Attorney with strong litigation experience and a passion for education law and civil rights. The successful candidate will support and lead cases involving Title IX, special education (IDEA), Section 504, and broader civil rights claims on behalf of students, families, and advocacy organizations. This role combines courtroom advocacy, client counseling, legal research and motion practice with strategic case development and collaboration with senior attorneys and community partners.

Compensation: $120k - $225k DOE Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of education law and civil rights litigation matters, including Title IX, IDEA, Section 504, and related claims.
• Draft, file, and respond to pleadings, motions, discovery requests, and appellate briefs; prepare legal memoranda and client correspondence.
• Represent clients at hearings, mediations, administrative proceedings, and in court; prepare witnesses and conduct direct and cross-examination.
• Conduct thorough legal research and stay current on federal and state statutes, regulations, and case law affecting education rights and civil rights enforcement.
• Develop litigation strategy in collaboration with supervising attorneys; evaluate risks and benefits and recommend litigation plans.
• Counsel and support clients (students, parents, schools, and advocacy organizations) on rights, remedies, and enforcement options under IDEA, Section 504, Title IX, and other civil rights statutes.
• Manage case files, track deadlines, and ensure timely compliance with court and administrative procedures.
• Engage in outreach and training for community groups, schools, and advocacy partners on legal rights and compliance best practices.
• Support policy and impact litigation efforts to advance systemic change in education and civil rights where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and admission to the state bar
• 1+ years of litigation experience preferred; experience in education law, special education (IDEA), Title IX, Section 504, or civil rights strongly preferred but not required
• Demonstrated courtroom experience, including motion practice, hearings, and client advocacy.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytic skills; ability to draft clear pleadings, motions, and briefs.
• Commitment to protecting students rights and advancing equity in education; ability to work sensitively with vulnerable clients.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to nonlawyers and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines independently while maintaining attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel for hearings and client meetings as needed; experience with administrative proceedings a plus.

For this position you must be currently authorized to work in the United States. We do not sponsor for this position.