Staff Counsel

If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to become part of a stellar team of professionals, we invite you to apply online today.

Posting Period:

September 23, 2025 - Until Filled

Employee Group Type:

NEAMAC NEA Managers, Attorneys, Confidentials, OO107 Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

Position Type:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Salary Range:

$143,443.00 - $203,775.00

Position Details:

The National Education Association (NEA) is America’s oldest and largest labor organization with some 3 million members.  The mission of the NEA is to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education by preparing every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. 

NEA seeks an attorney (temporary, 3-year term) to join our team in the NEA Office of General Counsel. The widely varied work of the NEA Office of General Counsel includes all of the following:

• Significant litigation work in both federal and state court challenging attacks on public education, inclusive curriculum and education practices, academic freedom and the elimination of public education funding and programs.  Current work includes federal appellate and district court cases challenging state censorship laws, state court cases enforcing state constitutional commitments to public education and prohibiting the diversion of public education funds into private school voucher programs, work to defend educators for teaching inclusively in line with best pedagogical practice, challenges to the elimination of federal education programs and funding.
• Significant litigation work in both federal and state court challenging attacks on unions whether by way of efforts to eliminate bargaining rights, restrictions on the collection of union dues and/or retractions on how unions may participate in political actives or collective actions.  Current work includes state and federal court litigation challenging such restrictions in federal court.  
• Significant amicus work in support of public education and civil rights.  Over the past year, for example, NEA has filed Supreme Court amicus in support of a state’s decision to prohibit religious organizations from operating public schools, supporting a school district’s efforts to make their curriculum more representative, and supporting the rights of states to condition public support of schools on school’s commitment to abiding by basic civil rights protections.  In addition, NEA has filed in federal and state appellate courts in support of birthright citizenship, First Amendment rights of students and faculty, and in support of state challenges to censorship and book bans, as well as in support of teachers targeted for teaching inclusively,. 
• Providing in-house counsel to NEA’s elected leadership and staff as well as to state and local education associations on an array of matters including organizing campaigns and union governance issues, walk-outs, protections for educator advocacy in and outside of school, internal union operations, charter schools, social media use and regulation, intellectual property and individual privacy.
• Assisting NEA state affiliates in their provision of direct legal services to NEA members.  Providing guidance, courses and assistance to lawyers and advocates who represent NEA members and affiliates as well as convening an annual education conference for the National Organization of Lawyers for Educational Associations (“NOLEA”), a national network of lawyers representing school employees and their associations. 
• Providing counsel to NEA regarding affiliate relationships, tools for improving the representation of NEA members, tools to assist NEA members in their advocacy work and legal guidance needed to support affiliate and member advocacy. 

Responsibilities:  Given the nature of the work of the NEA Office of General Counsel, applicants should be interested in a position in which they will:    

• Develop, draft and litigate significant matters in the state and federal courts.   
• Monitor and analyze legal developments of interest to NEA and its members, including legal review and analysis of federal laws, executive orders, regulations and court cases, and provide regular updates on developments of interest to NOLEA and others.   
• Assist with other legal matters (internal and external) as needed. 

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school required.
• Five or more years of legal practice involving litigation required with preference given for demonstrated expertise in handling state or federal constitutional litigation.
• Excellent oral and written advocacy and communication skills required, including significant writing experience. 
• Excellent public speaking skills desirable. 
• Must be willing and able to serve as a generalist as needed.
• Ability to perform complex legal analytical work, to design innovative legal strategies and to work collaboratively required. 
• Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks concurrently.  Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as to collaborate in a collegial environment.
• Healthy respect for colleagues, employees, and superiors.
• A sense of humor. 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided:  The position involves skill in using a computer and/or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

NEA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. To apply for this position or to search for other openings, please go to our jobs page at Careers at NEA (myworkdayjobs.com)  

NEA Participates in E-Verify. Read more here E-Verify Participation & Right to Work.

NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.