Director of Litigation

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Case Development

o Oversee all aspects of the DRLC’s litigation program.

o Collaborate closely with the Executive Director to identify areas of greatest impact, develop response strategies, and provide guidance to staff and assistance to clients.

o Develop litigation and advocacy strategies to identify systemic issues that affect legal services’ clients.

o Co-counsel, coordinate, and advise on all levels of litigation including complex litigation. 

o Identify and develop meaningful cases that fulfill DRLC’s mission and meet annual budgetary attorney fee objectives.

o Develop and maintain significant litigation caseload in state and federal court.

o Ensure incremental quarterly increase of new cases filed in state and federal court.

o Manage and strengthen DRLC’s case vetting protocols.

• Leadership & Supervision

o Supervise senior and staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteer attorneys.

o Work closely and maintain relationships with pro bono co-counsel.

o Manage administrative and management tasks, including grant compliance, personnel supervision and quality assurance evaluations, staff retention, private bar relations, and strategic planning. 

o Mentor attorneys at all levels, teach litigation strategies, and help develop their litigation skills.

o Monitor attorney work. Oversee litigation, including all aspects of legal research, discovery, depositions, motions practice, brief writing, trial work, appellate work, and amicus briefing. 

o Review pleadings, briefs, letters, presentations, and other attorney work product. 

o Ensure that attorneys are properly tracking both their billable and non-billable hours in MyCase.

o Conduct weekly supervision meetings with attorneys to assess work, and to provide direction and feedback.

o Prepare quarterly reports for DRLC’s Executive Director and Board of Directors.

o Ensure that attorneys are well trained in substantive areas of the law and legal practice using DRLC and external resources.

o Ensure that all internal and external activities are aligned with DRLC’s policies, procedures, and protocols.

o Conduct annual reviews for all litigation staff. 

• Policy Advocacy, Community Outreach, and Organizational Visibility

o Represent the DRLC in stakeholder meetings, public conferences, and in other outreach efforts that are strategically and concretely aligned with the development of complex litigation and policy advocacy.

o Coordinate advocacy efforts to lead and support staff to optimize high quality advocacy across the organization. 

o Collaborate with staff, pro bono co-counsel and others on issues such as amicus briefs and legislative advocacy.

o Responsible for development, implementation and achieving programs’ annual plan and budget. 

o Identify, create, and manage potential clinical externships at law schools and fellowships.

o Produce legal scholarship on disability rights and special education legal issues.

o Participate in traditional media appearances (TV and radio); social media activities; and other communication efforts, including drafting press releases and newsletters.

o Develop and achieve objectives of DRLC’s litigation strategic plan.

o Develop and meet grant funding objectives and deliverables. 

o Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of people with people with disabilities. 

• Expertise in disability and civil rights law, class actions, and public policy.

• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and advocacy.

• Ability to initiate and advance major litigation efforts for systemic reform. 

• Ability to expand impact of DRLC’s work among underserved communities. 

• Ability to maintain and further develop relationships with legal and critical stakeholders.

• Ability to make effective oral presentations and engage a broad staff and client constituency effectively and consistently. 

• Strong legal editing, writing, analytical skills, flexibility, and good humor.

• Excellent legal, organizational, and time-management skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent judgment, calm demeanor even under pressure, strong work ethic, resourceful, and able to maintain confidentiality.

• Decisive, with ability to exercise independent judgment.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain positive team environment and support staff morale and resilience.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. 

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and work independently.

• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail. 

• Ability to make financial projections.

• Ability to work weekends and evenings. 

• Willingness to travel locally and nationally.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• J.D. or L.L.M. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar, or ability to obtain admission. 

• Minimum 10 years of significant litigation experience including class actions and federal court practice, with a proven track record of success.

• Experience practicing in both State and Federal Court as lead counsel. 

• Experience and expertise to conceptualize new and appropriate litigation and advocacy strategies and translate them into achievable plans. 

• Demonstrated ability to "see the big picture" and provide strategic advice and input while also tactically executing policies and procedures. 

• 10+ years of experience, preferably in disability rights or civil rights practice.

• 7+ years of supervisory and leadership experience. 

• 5+ years project / program management experience.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DRLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. 

Benefits offered include: 

·      Employee medical insurance HMO or PPO plan 100% employer-paid.

·      Employee dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid.

·      Employee life & long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid.

·      Vacation Days: 15 days per year, 20 days per year beginning the 3^rd year of employment, accrued every pay period.

·      Health & Wellness (sick) leave: 12 days per year.

·      15 days paid holidays, including Winter Break the last week of the year.

·      Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships).

Employees with federal student loan debt may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Department of Education. For more information, go to https://myfedloan.org/borrowers/special-programs/pslf.

TO APPLY:

Location: Hybrid/Remote(Local Los Angeles, CA)

FLSA: Exempt 

Type: Full-time

Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment. 

Applications must include resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Submit your complete application to Anabel Prudencio, Director of Administration at AP@thedrlc.org include “Director of Litigation” in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls, please. Only those applicants who are selected for an interview will receive a response.

Introductory period – A six-month introductory period will be required.