Empower Schools Law Fellow

Empower Schools is a nonprofit that re-engineers public school systems by partnering closely with policymakers, families, district and community leaders, and educators to help them design new ways of operating (Empowerment Zones) that enable teachers and principals to make the decisions that matter most for their students. This work is significant not only because it results in improved outcomes for students, but because it involves empowering--not taking over or dismantling--schools and communities. Empower Schools started in and is based in Massachusetts. However, over the past several years, the organization’s footprint has grown to include Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, and Texas, with other areas in development across the country. Collectively, this work serves more than 30,000 K12 students across 65 schools in five states.

Empower is facing significant questions and opportunities as its impact continues to grow and is seeking a dynamic Law Fellow to:

• Analyze legal frameworks to inform agreements between districts and locally created nonprofit Empowerment Zones. Relevant issues include:
  ○ Legal implications of Zone structures in various states
  ○ Compliance with applicable laws and policies
  ○ Liability and insurance for a Zone entity
  ○ Interaction with collective bargaining rules
• Ensure full understanding of laws and regulations in new and differing state contexts that enable the crafting of strong contracts, negotiation strategies, and legal documents matching each state’s context.
• Analyze existing state legislation and policy as well as the legal strengths and weaknesses of relevant new and developing legislation to determine existing pathways and future areas of focus.

Not only will the Fellow tackle these mission-critical projects, but they will also have the opportunity to shape the legal strategy of one of the most innovative education efforts in the country. There are also ample opportunities for professional development and growth, as well as coaching and mentorship, as part of the Fellowship. This Fellow will report to Senior Director Matthew Matera, J.D.

Interested and qualified applicants should send a cover letter and resume to careers@empowerschools.org. Please note Law Fellowship in the subject line of your email. Please save your attachments using the following convention: LastName_FirstName_CoverLetter and LastName_FirstName_Resume.

• Public Interest — Postgraduate
• Public Interest
• 3L Students
• Postgraduate
• Recent Grad