Staff Attorney

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Engage in impact litigation across various issues in partnership with litigation teams comprising other Staff Attorneys, Senior Attorneys, Deputy Directors, Paralegals, and additional Program staff.

• Identify and cultivate litigation in federal and state courts with guidance and support from Senior Attorneys and/or Deputy Directors, which includes drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; delivering oral arguments; and managing appeals.

• Build and sustain a substantial litigation case load in state and/or federal court, typically in collaboration with an internal case team and external co-counsel.

• Strategically and innovatively employ plaintiff-driven, community-focused impact litigation alongside NILC’s core strategies of policy research and analysis, strategic partnerships and advocacy, communications, and movement power building to further NILC’s vision and mission.

• Enhance NILC’s administrative and legislative advocacy by offering legal analysis and technical support to colleagues in NILC’s other departments; government officials and staff; the media; and advocates, organizers, and attorneys across the nation.

• Create community education materials, co-develop webinars, and deliver Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations.

• Mentor and instruct legal interns, legal fellows, and less experienced attorneys in all facets of case investigation, development, and litigation, as well as in other legal tasks.

• Collaborate with staff organization-wide through Program workgroups to assist ongoing programmatic initiatives.

• Represent NILC with coalition partners concerning litigation and other areas of legal knowledge or expertise.

• Interact with the media regarding pertinent legal work and litigation in coordination with the Strategic Communications department.

• Proactively and constructively communicate to relevant staff and leadership about programmatic developments, administrative requirements, and broader institutional issues, opportunities, and needs.

• Work alongside legal team staff on responding to requests for assistance, developing cases, and providing legal representation.

• Actively participate in or support policy advocacy, campaigns, and community outreach to advance NILC’s mission.

• Enhance and reinforce internal protocols and communication; promote a collaborative work environment and positively contribute to team dynamics; and embody NILC’s and the Legal Department’s values both internally and externally.

• May participate in a larger cross-functional project utilizing the MOCHA framework/methodology.

⛳️ Requirements

• JD degree and active membership in good standing with a State Bar Association is required.

• 2-6+ years of litigation experience is necessary.

• Proven experience in the investigation and development of impact litigation.

• Competency with in-office and virtual environments and software, including MS Office, internet research, and virtual collaboration tools.

• Civil litigation experience in federal court is preferred.

• Strong preference for expertise in immigrants’ rights or other public interest impact litigation.

• Proficiency in non-English languages spoken by Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Caribbean, and Arab communities is preferred. Fluency in multiple languages is desirable.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance.

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Healthcare and dependent care FSA.

• Stipends and/or reimbursements for wellness, phone, and internet expenses.

• Generous paid time off.

• Comprehensive holiday schedule.

• Employee assistance program (EAP).

• Additional voluntary insurance packages.