Schools & Education Attorney - Any Virginia Office

Sands Anderson PC is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Schools & Education practice. This position offers the opportunity to work with public school divisions, school boards, educational institutions, and other public-sector clients on the wide range of legal, regulatory, employment, governance, and operational matters they encounter.

The ideal candidate will have meaningful experience advising educational institutions or public entities and will bring a practical, collaborative approach to helping clients navigate complex legal issues. Experience serving as counsel to a school division, school board, university, government agency, or other public institution is particularly valuable.

Responsibilities

The attorney will work closely with members of the Schools & Education team to advise and represent clients on matters that may include:

• General counsel and day-to-day advice to school boards, school divisions, and educational institutions
• Employment and personnel matters, including employee discipline, policies, investigations, and workplace issues
• Student matters, including discipline, student rights, and related administrative proceedings
• Special education and disability matters, including IDEA, Section 504, and ADA compliance
• Title IX and other civil rights and discrimination matters
• Development, interpretation, and implementation of policies and procedures
• School board governance, meetings, and public-sector decision-making
• Virginia Freedom of Information Act and other public records and open-meeting requirements
• Contracts, procurement, and vendor relationships
• Regulatory compliance and risk management
• Administrative proceedings, investigations, and litigation
• Training school administrators, board members, and other education professionals on legal developments and best practices
• Monitoring legislative, regulatory, and judicial developments affecting Virginia schools and educational institutions

Qualifications

Successful candidates should have:

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active membership in the Virginia State Bar or eligibility for admission in Virginia
• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in education law, local government, public-sector law, employment law, special education, civil rights, or a related practice area
• Strong legal research, analysis, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to provide practical, responsive advice directly to clients
• Strong judgment and the ability to manage sensitive and complex matters
• Ability to work collaboratively across practice areas and with attorneys, administrators, governing boards, and other client stakeholders

Experience working directly with Virginia public school divisions or other Virginia public entities is preferred. Candidates with experience as in-house or university counsel, government attorneys, school board counsel, or attorneys who regularly advise public-sector clients are encouraged to apply.

What We Are Looking For

Beyond strong legal credentials, Sands Anderson is seeking an attorney who understands that education clients need more than technical legal answers. They need counsel who understands their operations, appreciates the public environment in which they work, and can translate complex legal requirements into clear, practical guidance.

The successful candidate will be comfortable developing trusted relationships with clients, collaborating with colleagues across disciplines, and contributing to the continued growth of the firm's Schools & Education practice.

About Sands Anderson

Sands Anderson is a Virginia-based law firm serving businesses, governmental entities, educational institutions, and individuals across the Commonwealth. Our attorneys combine substantive legal experience with a practical understanding of our clients' organizations and the communities they serve.

NOTICE TO SEARCH FIRMS: Firms that wish to present candidates to Sands Anderson PC must have an active agreement in place. Firms will not be entitled to receive any compensation as a result of a decision by Sands Anderson PC to offer employment to any such candidate unless an active agreement is in place between our law firm and your search firm, and then only on the terms, and subject to the conditions, contained in our agreement. All search firm candidates should be submitted via the Search Firm Portal. Search firms that do not introduce a candidate through our portal will not be recognized by Sands Anderson PC for purposes of “ownership” of the candidate. For questions or access to the portal, please contact Liz Coleman, Director of Business Development & Strategic Growth.

Salary Range: $145,000 to $190,000