Attorney (Senior)

Overview

A senior attorney position is available within the Equal Access and Housing Practice Group, focusing on advocacy to end discrimination against people with disabilities and increase access to housing and public programs. This is a full-time, exempt role requiring 37.5 hours per week. The position is remote but requires the candidate to reside in California, with preferred locations including Sacramento, Berkeley, Los Angeles, or San Diego.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and participate in litigation including class actions, complex cases, and appeals addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Represent individual clients in negotiations, mediations, administrative, and judicial proceedings.
• Supervise and mentor attorneys, advocates, fellows, clerks, and interns/externs.
• Prepare and coordinate training materials, publications, reports, and presentations related to legal work.
• Provide technical assistance and substantive training to staff.
• Collaborate with other agencies and organizations to address systemic issues affecting clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May directly supervise one or more attorneys or advocacy staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and addressing workplace issues in accordance with agency policies and laws.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to the California State Bar.
• At least seven (7) years of legal practice experience, or internal candidates with two continuous years at the organization and six years of legal experience.
• Strong advocacy skills including research, writing, analysis, and oral communication.
• Proven ability to lead complex advocacy projects and collaborate effectively.
• Commitment to working with people with disabilities and low-income clients, incorporating race equity and community lawyering principles.
• Expertise in laws affecting people with disabilities such as Title II of the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FEHA, Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Persons Act, and related statutes.
• Experience in at least two of the following: administrative proceedings, discovery, motion practice, class action litigation, trial advocacy, or appellate practice.
• Four (4) years of successful litigation experience including class actions, complex litigation, appeals, administrative proceedings, writs, or individual lawsuits.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities and/or multi-ethnic communities.
• Involvement in the disability rights or justice movement and/or extensive contacts within the disability community.
• Strong professional responsibility, ethics, and ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple tasks.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.

Desired Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish or an Asian language, or proficiency in American Sign Language.
• Experience with or contacts in ethnic or language-distinct communities.
• Understanding of race equity and community lawyering principles.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with diverse groups.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in office or home environments and in various field settings including courthouses, facilities, institutional, and community-based locations.
• Regular communication via online platforms is required.
• Must be able to travel to meetings, training, and community events.

Travel

• Occasional travel up to 25% of the time for out-of-town meetings, training, or outreach activities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $89,435.80 – $130,958.10 annually, based on experience and internal equity analysis.
• Salary offers are determined through a structured process considering education and relevant experience to ensure fairness and consistency.
• Competitive salaries and a generous benefits package are offered.

Location

• Remote position requiring residence in California.
• Preferred locations: Sacramento, Berkeley, Los Angeles, or San Diego.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit the following to be considered:

• Completed employment application (do not reference resume only).
• Resume.
• Cover letter addressing personal and professional motivation and how minimum and desired qualifications are met.
• Sample of legal writing (up to 10 pages).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.