Senior Litigator - Civil Rights, Housing, Employment, Education, Health

Position Description

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Senior Litigator will join a growing team of experienced litigators to support CRLA’s impact litigation and systemic advocacy. CRLA believes in using an array of advocacy tools to address systemic issues, including litigation, policy advocacy, community education, media, and collaboration with other organizations. The Senior Litigator will have the opportunity to demonstrate strategic and innovative thought leadership to address challenging and complex matters on behalf of rural Californians seeking equity and justice.

The Senior Litigator will be responsible for leading and supporting impact litigation and systemic advocacy, developing staff’s litigation skills through co-counseling and trainings, and helping shape CRLA’s strategic advocacy goals. Advocacy will focus on CRLA’s priority areas and other areas affecting rural populations including housing, labor and employment, education, health, public benefits, and civil rights. The ideal candidate will have experience using an array of advocacy tools, and a strong foundational understanding of the root causes of poverty.

Essential Responsibilities

Systemic Advocacy

• Litigate systemic impact cases and undertake systemic advocacy as lead or co-counsel.
• Work with CRLA programs to identify systemic advocacy opportunities.
• Research and analyze complex legal issues and develop effective advocacy strategies to combat systemic injustices through multi-faceted approaches including legal, policy, and community advocacy.
• Investigate and develop factual legal claims, prepare pleadings and motions, conduct discovery, present oral arguments, and represent clients in trials.
• Attend court appearances, mediations, and settlement conferences.
• Develop expertise in one or more areas of poverty law within CRLA’s priorities.
• Maintain a high level of professional competence through attendance at training sessions, seminars, and conferences and individual efforts to keep abreast of current developments in poverty law and issues affecting low-income people.

Staff Development and Collaboration

• Provide co-counseling or other litigation support to CRLA advocates.
• Provide mentorship and serve as a resource to newer attorneys and advocates across CRLA.
• Lead litigation and systemic advocacy efforts as part of a team, delegating tasks and ensuring effective advocacy by other members of the team.
• Develop resources for litigation and systemic advocacy best practices and conduct training on discrete aspects of litigation and systemic advocacy.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, particularly groups and individuals who are most directly affected by the legal issues CRLA seeks to address.
• Ensure that case handling complies with CRLA policies, Legal Services Corporation regulations, the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Services, and ethical obligations.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Advise CRLA’s Executive Director, General Counsel, and Deputy Director on strategic advocacy initiatives.
• Raise awareness of CRLA’s work and the issues faced by CRLA’s clients through media, participation in conferences, and collaboration with other organizations, agencies, and issue- and community-based coalitions.
• Support the establishment of policies and programs that promote a desirable organizational culture and vision.
• Model appropriate leadership behaviors and take swift action to mitigate behaviors that compromise CRLA values. In collaboration with Human Resources, ensure a culture of knowledge sharing and continued learning.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience practicing law, preferably in one of CRLA’s priority areas.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience with litigation or systemic advocacy.
• Admitted to the California Bar, or any other State Bar and willingness to take the next California Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated ability to co-counsel with and mentor junior attorneys in systemic litigation.
• Demonstrated ability to be a successful member of a collaborative team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income, marginalized, and diverse populations.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with rural populations.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Experience in the non-profit or public sector.
• Supervisory experience.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation & Benefits:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; the estimated starting annual salary range for this position is: $100,000-135,000 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience). Generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependent coverage. A 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Some professional dues are paid by CRLA (Bar Fees) and, if qualified, up to $8,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP). Generous paid leave policy, which includes 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA).

CRLA requires that all employees be Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.