Open to opportunities

Evan Curdts

@evancurdts

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Experienced education attorney advising on federal education policy, litigation, and regulatory compliance.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can shape education policy and compliance through strategic legal counsel, high-impact litigation, and collaborative advocacy in mission-driven organizations.

I am an education-focused attorney with substantial federal and advocacy experience in complex statutory, regulatory, and litigation matters. I currently manage a broad portfolio of federal education program areas affecting billions in annual funding.

At the U.S. Department of Education I lead negotiations with state and local officials, draft and review contracts and regulations, coordinate with DOJ on major litigation, and author legally binding administrative decisions. My work emphasizes statutory and regulatory interpretation, federal privacy and procurement, and high-stakes compliance.

Previously I counseled the National Education Association and its affiliates on labor and education law, participated in federal civil rights and First Amendment litigation, and led advocacy efforts on voting access, LGBTQ and immigrant rights, and student debt. I also have experience in housing, juvenile defense, children’s privacy, and education research.

I bring a pragmatic, policy-forward approach that combines strong legal analysis, coalition-building, and hands-on litigation and regulatory experience to help agencies and organizations navigate complex legal and governance challenges.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Attorney

Current

United States Department of Education

Nov 2021 - Present (3 years 11 months)

Managing attorney for a portfolio of federal education programs with a combined annual budget of $25.4 billion; led negotiations with state and local officials, drafted regulations and contracts, coordinated with DOJ on high-profile litigation, and authored legally binding administrative appeals.

Litigation Contract Review Appeals Privacy Law Negotiation Legal Research

Law Fellow Attorney

National Education Association

Sep 2019 - Sep 2021 (2 years)

Provided legal guidance to NEA affiliates on education and labor law, produced complex legal research and litigation filings in federal civil rights and First Amendment cases, and led regulatory compliance and advocacy efforts for millions of members.

Labor Law Litigation Support Legal Research Regulatory Compliance Advocacy

Legal Intern

Legal Aid of the District of Columbia

Jan 2019 - Apr 2019 (3 months)

Conducted research and prepared memoranda supporting the D.C. Housing Right to Counsel Initiative, analyzed landlord-tenant reforms, and developed a digital tool to improve client data collection and analysis.

Legal Research Policy Analysis Program Evaluation

Legal Intern

Superior Court of the District of Columbia

Sep 2018 - Dec 2018 (3 months)

Drafted court opinions, orders, and findings of fact for the Juvenile and Neglect Branch; managed case files and prepared hearing notes to support magistrate decision-making.

Case Management Legal Research

Law Clerk

Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights

May 2018 - Aug 2018 (3 months)

Assisted juvenile public defenders with motions, client interviews, and trial strategy; researched alternatives to detention and impacts of juvenile code amendments to inform advocacy and representation.

Juvenile Defense Interviewing Trial Preparation Legal Research Case Management

Legal Intern

Common Sense Media

May 2017 - Aug 2017 (3 months)

Analyzed litigation and legislation on children’s privacy and education law, drafted bill language and public comments, and organized advocacy campaigns promoting data privacy and broadband access for K–12 students.

Policy Advocacy Public Comments Stakeholder Engagement Legal Research

Test Development Assistant

American Institutes for Research

Nov 2014 - Aug 2016 (1 year 9 months)

Supported development and analysis for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), contributing to STEM modernization and culturally inclusive assessment design.

Assessment Design Data Analysis Program Support

Teacher

Baltimore City Public Schools

Aug 2013 - Aug 2014 (1 year)

Taught 5th and 6th grade math and science at Holabird Academy, coached baseball and basketball, and managed classroom instruction and student development through Teach For America placement.

Classroom Instruction Curriculum Development Classroom Management Math education Science education Coaching

Intern

American Federation of Teachers

May 2012 - May 2013 (1 year)

Researched education and labor policy issues including ELL instruction and community schools, and prepared policy briefs and reports for syndication across the organization.

Policy Research Education Policy Report Writing ELL Policy Early Childhood Education

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Georgetown University Law Center

Juris Doctor, Law

Juris Doctor awarded in May 2019 with honors including a 2018 CALI Award for Race & Law and Dean’s List recognition for 2017–2018.

Georgetown University

Bachelor of Arts, Political Economics

Activities and societies: D.C. Reads Tutoring and Advocacy Program (Coordinator, Advocacy Committee Chair, Community Relations Liaison); Leaders in Education About Diversity (Co-Chair)

Bachelor of Arts in Political Economics awarded in May 2013 with minors in Education & Social Justice and Sociology and leadership roles in student education organizations.