Litigation Counsel

Disability Rights California

Litigation Counsel shaping advocacy vision and mentoring attorneys at Disability Rights California. Leading systemic litigation and policy initiatives for the rights of people with disabilities.

Posted 7/21/2026full-timeRemote • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $113,144 - $165,704 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in complex civil litigation and systemic policy advocacy, with a strong commitment to client-centered representation of disabled individuals and marginalized communities. Proven ability to lead, mentor, and collaborate effectively within legal teams and with external stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Juris Doctor DegreeComplex Litigation LeadershipSystemic Policy AdvocacyMentoring and Training AttorneysClient-Centered Advocacy

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Civil LitigationClass Action LitigationMotion PracticeDiscoveryTrial AdvocacyAppellate PracticeStructured NegotiationsLegal ResearchAnalytic SkillsOral Advocacy

Soft Skills

CollaborationRelationship BuildingIndependent WorkAnalytic ThinkingCommunication

Industry Keywords

Individuals with Disabilities Education ActAmericans with Disabilities ActRehabilitation ActDue Process ClauseRace-Equity PrinciplesCivil RightsCommunity LawyeringSystemic Advocacy Projects

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and lead systemic litigation to address the needs of disabled Californians and their families, with a particular emphasis on young people with disabilities, which may include targeted representation, complex litigation, and/or appeals of administrative decisions;
Develop policy and other systems-change advocacy initiatives; including major policy advocacy at the state level;
Mentor and train practice group attorneys in litigation and policy advocacy;
Support and oversee litigation teams, including facilitation of crossover legal issues and coordination of litigation practice group members;
Monitor, summarize, and analyze case law, legislation, and administrative policy and practices for staff and other organizations;
Collaborate with other agencies and organizations to address new or recurring problems faced by our clients;
Develop and sustain relationships with organizations led by disabled people and key stakeholders within the disability community;
Participate as a member of the DRC legal management team to assist in the development and advancement of the Legal Advocacy Unit’s overall strategic direction;
Identify and develop substantive and skills-based training for attorney and advocacy staff;
Collaborate with other Litigation Counsel to fulfill various administrative and litigation-related responsibilities;
Co-review with the Managing Attorney and approve the team member requests to commence new litigation.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Juris Doctor degree plus 9 years of experience practicing law including substantial civil litigation experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex litigation, including 5 years of exemplary results in litigation, and expertise in federal and/or state civil litigation, such as class action litigation, motion practice, discovery, trial advocacy, appellate practice, structured negotiations, and/or systemic policy advocacy;
Experience with systemic advocacy projects, building strong relationships with coalition and community partners, and ability to work well in collaborative settings;
Commitment to zealous client-centered advocacy through the representation of people with disabilities, lower-income clients, and people of color, and by incorporating race-equity, civil rights, and community/movement lawyering principles into their work;
Expertise in one or more substantive areas of law related to the practice group (such as 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.);
3 years of successfully leading, training, mentoring, and developing attorneys and advocates in their own advocacy efforts, including litigation, systemic policy advocacy, administrative proceedings, and/or writs;
Excellent research, writing, analytic, and oral advocacy skills;
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with other lawyers and support staff, and to develop and implement impact strategies;
The ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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 some 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.