Litigation Counsel

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Spearhead and guide systemic litigation efforts to meet the needs of disabled Californians and their families, focusing specifically on young individuals with disabilities. This may involve targeted representation, intricate litigation, and/or appeals of administrative decisions;

• Create and implement policy and systems-change advocacy initiatives, including significant policy advocacy at the state level;

• Mentor and provide training to attorneys within the practice group regarding litigation and policy advocacy;

• Oversee and support litigation teams, ensuring coordination of crossover legal issues and collaboration among litigation practice group members;

• Review, summarize, and analyze case law, legislation, and administrative policies and practices for staff and other organizations;

• Work in partnership with other agencies and organizations to tackle new or ongoing challenges faced by our clients;

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with organizations led by individuals with disabilities and key stakeholders in the disability community;

• Contribute as a member of the DRC legal management team to support the development and progression of the Legal Advocacy Unit’s overall strategic direction;

• Identify and create substantive and skills-based training opportunities for attorney and advocacy staff;

• Collaborate with fellow Litigation Counsel to address various administrative and litigation-related duties;

• Jointly review with the Managing Attorney and approve requests from team members to initiate new litigation.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree plus 9 years of legal practice experience, including significant civil litigation expertise.

• Proven ability to lead complex litigation, demonstrating 5 years of outstanding results in litigation, along with proficiency in federal and/or state civil litigation, such as class actions, motion practice, discovery, trial advocacy, appellate practice, structured negotiations, and/or systemic policy advocacy;

• Experience with systemic advocacy projects, establishing strong relationships with coalition and community partners, and a proven ability to thrive in collaborative environments;

• Dedication to vigorous client-centered advocacy representing individuals with disabilities, low-income clients, and people of color, while integrating principles of race equity, civil rights, and community/movement lawyering into their practice;

• Specialized knowledge in one or more substantive areas of law relevant to the practice group (such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, etc.);

• A minimum of 3 years of successful experience in leading, training, mentoring, and developing attorneys and advocates in their advocacy endeavors, including litigation, systemic policy advocacy, administrative proceedings, and/or writs;

• Exceptional research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills;

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with other attorneys and support staff and to devise and implement impactful strategies;

• Capability to work independently with appropriate oversight.

🏝️ Benefits

• 8% Match – 401K

• Health benefits (HMO options)

• Additional Benefits: dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, and commuter).

• Health Reimbursement Accounts for certain HMO Plans.

• Pet Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

• Teladoc

• Ample vacation

• Sick / Self Care time and holidays (including the last week in December)

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.