Senior Directing Attorney

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +14 more states.

📋 Description

• Formulate litigation strategies that align with NCYL’s mission and strategic objectives.

• Identify and create new litigation opportunities that address emerging threats to children and youth.

• Direct complex litigation across various jurisdictions, encompassing investigations, legal research, client interactions, pleadings, motions, discovery, expert work, negotiations, trials, appeals, and media relations.

• Oversee the implementation of remedies and settlements, including compliance tracking and communication with clients and monitors.

• Administer case budgets, litigation expenses, and fee recovery processes.

• Cultivate relationships with external litigation partners, co-counsel, and pro bono attorneys.

• Represent NCYL’s litigation initiatives at national conferences and in media interactions.

• Assist in strategic communications that promote NCYL’s objectives.

• Engage in fundraising and development activities.

• Supervise directing attorneys, senior attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, fellows, and law clerks.

• Report directly to the co-directors of litigation.

• Perform other assigned duties as required.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is required.

• Must be a member in good standing of the bar in at least one state.

• A minimum of 16 years of relevant experience since graduating from law school is necessary.

• Proven success in leading impactful litigation from its inception to the implementation of reforms.

• Expertise in impact litigation concerning children’s civil rights and public systems that affect children and youth.

• Demonstrated capacity to apply legal knowledge to complex situations and achieve systemic reform.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management abilities are essential.

• Experience in supervising, leading, and mentoring staff members.

• A solid understanding of structural racism and bias within public systems is required.

• In-depth subject matter expertise in at least one issue area relevant to NCYL.

• Proven ability to generate and lead complex civil litigation on behalf of youth.

• Experience in building rapport and fostering respect with diverse youth and their families.

• Exceptional research, writing, analytical, and creative problem-solving capabilities.

• Strong, clear, and persuasive oral communication skills are necessary.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others.

• Ability to coordinate litigation development alongside other advocacy strategies.

• Capacity to manage, deepen, and expand relationships with external partners.

• Ability to formulate new legal theories or extend established precedents.

• A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is essential.

• Dedication to the mission and goals of NCYL is required.

• Fluency in English is mandatory; oral and written fluency in an additional language is preferred.

• Must be able to work for extended periods while seated at a desk and using a computer.

• Some travel may be necessary.

• Submission of a cover letter, resume, and a litigation-related writing sample is required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.

• Dental insurance coverage.

• Vision insurance coverage.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Generous vacation benefits.

• Generous sick leave benefits.

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Commuter benefits.

• Employer contributions to a retirement plan.

• Short-term disability insurance coverage.

• Long-term disability insurance coverage.

• Fully remote work option available.

• Equal employment opportunities for all applicants.

• At-will employment subject to ongoing funding availability.