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Careers at YM&C

We’re looking for team members who lead with purpose and passion.

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Why YM&C

Join Us in Fighting for School Choice

As a member of the YM&C team, you’ll be working at the leading edge of education law, advocating for the rights of students who need your help the most. We work on a wide range of legal issues with an array of educational institutions. We believe school choice and quality schools are more than just legal issues – they’re a modern civil rights issue.

If you feel the same, YM&C may be the law firm for you. YM&C is a team of dedicated professionals with a diverse array of backgrounds and personalities working cohesively to serve modern educational institutions, including charter, independent and private schools and colleges, regardless of their size. We’re always on the lookout for highly motivated and dynamic attorneys who share our passion for choices in education.

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Current openings

Attorney – Independent & Private Schools Practice

Role

We are seeking an attorney with 2+ years of experience to join our school practice group. This attorney will counsel and represent private and independent schools and charter schools on the full range of legal matters they face, including:

Employment and labor law — hiring, discipline, termination, wage and hour compliance, and leave issues under California and federal law
Student rights and discipline — policies, procedures, expulsions, and accommodation of students with disabilities
Board governance — governance documents, fiduciary duties, conflict-of-interest policies, and board training
Business contracts — vendor agreements, service contracts, and memoranda of understanding
Regulatory compliance — navigating state and federal requirements while safeguarding a school’s autonomy in curriculum and governance
Workplace investigations — conducting and advising on internal investigations

This position offers the opportunity to advise school leaders on the full spectrum of issues that arise in day-to-day school operations.

Qualifications

Active California Bar license
2+ years of experience in education, government, employment, or nonprofit work.
Strong analytical and writing skills, including the ability to draft and review complex agreements, policies, board reports, and legal memoranda
Ability to manage client relationships and handle matters with appropriate independence
Commitment to the mission of independent and private education

Please send a cover letter, resume & writing sample.

Apply Here

Attorney - Litigation (5+ Years) – Education Law

Role

We are seeking a skilled Litigation Attorney to join our team of dedicated school advocates (at any of our four offices). You will take ownership of complex cases at the forefront of education law, with early courtroom opportunities and direct client relationships. If you have 5+ years of litigation experience and are a member of the California Bar, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications

Active membership, in good standing, in the State Bar of California.
5+ years of civil litigation experience in state or federal court.
Proficiency in drafting complex pleadings and conducting legal research and analysis.
Experience taking and defending depositions and managing discovery in high-stakes actions.
Detail-oriented and strategic thinker, with a strong commitment to representing our clients diligently.
Preferred, but not required: experience in education, employment, or public entity law; appellate or writ practice; trial or arbitration experience; or a judicial clerkship.

Please send a cover letter, resume & writing sample.

Apply Here

“Joining YMC has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my career. Before becoming an attorney, I was an elementary school teacher, so after law school, I sought a place where my passion for education could align with my legal skills. I have found that ideal intersection at YMC. Each day, I have the privilege of working alongside a team that is as dedicated to the mission of supporting educators and students as I am. I love that the work we do here goes beyond just legal representation—it’s about making a real, tangible difference in the education system. My background as a teacher gives me perspective on the challenges educators face, and being at YMC allows me to use that insight to craft solutions that are both legally sound and deeply empathetic. It's incredibly rewarding to know that the work we do here leads to real, positive change in schools across the state. I am proud to be part of this team and look forward to our continued advocacy in the decades to come.”

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Kaela Haydu

Partner

“My career began in teaching and non-profit work, where I was constantly searching for ways to make our educational system work better for students. After visiting a charter school at a Boston conference, I was inspired to dedicate my career to supporting these schools of choice. When I learned about YM&C's focus on and dedication to charter schools while in law school, I knew that it was the only place I wanted to work. Eighteen years later, I could not have made a better choice -- I am honored to work with charter schools and education leaders every day, helping them provide a high-quality education to a diverse student population across the state. I'm also proud to be part of the dedicated, passionate YM&C team.”

Sarah Kollman

Partner

“I walked into YMC in 2006 from a Temp service to cover the receptionist position. I was 21 years old with bright red hair, a part time college student, and a hairstylist on the weekends. That was 18 years ago. Since then, I have earned a Bachelors Degree, MBA, and Paralegal certificate. I've bought a home, married, and had 3 children. I have grown up here at the Firm. Having worked in the positions of receptionist, then file clerk, and now legal assistant, I feel blessed to continue working and growing at YMC. I'm grateful to be appreciated with annual retreats, holiday parties and annual bonuses – and honored to work alongside people I consider more like family.”

Janelle Jennings

Legal Assistant | Paralegal