Education Law Associate Attorney

Job Title: Education Law Associate Attorney

Job Overview: A respected law firm in Irvine, CA is seeking an experienced Education Law Associate Attorney to join its dynamic team. The firm provides high-quality legal services to public educational institutions, including K-12 schools and community colleges. This position is ideal for a legal professional with a solid background in labor and employment law, and a desire to contribute to the educational sector by supporting local educational agencies in various legal matters.

Duties:

• Assist senior associates and partners in providing legal guidance to school district administrators on employee management, including disciplinary actions, dismissals, and releases.

• Draft employment-related documents such as disciplinary notices and statements of charges.

• Serve as second-chair in representing educational agencies during administrative hearings.

• Act as an impartial investigator on matters concerning allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and improper governmental actions.

• Advise clients on responding to California Public Records Act requests.

• Conduct legal research and prepare internal memoranda, legal correspondence, and client communications.

• Provide training sessions for clients on key legal topics, and participate in conferences and other professional development and marketing events.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

• Admission to the State Bar of California and good standing.

• 1-2 years of experience in labor and/or employment law, particularly for educational or public entities.

• Strong research, writing, and oral communication skills.

• Litigation or administrative hearing experience is an asset.

• Experience conducting legal investigations is a plus.

• Fluency in Spanish (both written and spoken) is a plus.

• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective relationships with clients.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced setting.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

Certifications:

• Admission to the State Bar of California, in good standing.

Skills:

• Legal research and writing

• Oral advocacy

• Client relationship management

• Litigation and hearing support

• Legal investigations

• Spanish fluency (preferred)

Job Location: Irvine, CA

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) matching program

• Firm profit-sharing contributions

• Generous paid time off and holidays

• Opportunities for professional development and training

This California firm was founded in 1979 and focuses on employment, labor, construction, education, real estate, general business and business litigation, corporate, taxation, bankruptcy, and immigration. Committed to high-quality legal work, the highly experienced lawyers have won many cases on behalf of clients. The firm has received numerous awards and accolades for professional accomplishments and contributions to communities. The diverse team of attorneys has business and education backgrounds allowing for the combination of practical, useful advice with innovative legal strategies. Believing in diversity, the firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The attorneys actively support education and other non-profit organizations. The firm is committed to collegiality, teamwork, and openness with each other and with clients. The firm also provides numerous in-house training sessions and workshops on current legal matters.