Disability Rights California

General Counsel

• JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Litigation Counsel PRACTICE GROUP: Legal Advocacy Unit - Systemic/Impact REPORTS TO: Director of Litigation LOCATION: Hybrid Remote (California only) Los Angeles, Berkeley, San Diego, or Sacramento EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Exempt, Regular, Full-time (37.5 hours week)
• Our Litigation Counsel are dynamic, skilled leaders engaged in guiding litigation and developing strategies to enforce civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. We encourage those who are d/Deaf and/or Disabled to apply.
• PURPOSE OF THE JOB Disability Rights California is a statewide public interest law firm. We advocate for people with disabilities living in California by addressing systemic discrimination, and acknowledging the unique challenges created by intersecting types of discrimination. DRC seeks innovative and experienced leaders and litigators to serve as Litigation Counsel in our Legal Advocacy Unit (LAU). As part of our systemic litigation group, Litigation Counsel are passionate about achieving impactful change, working closely with selected litigation teams to provide guidance, connection, and strategic direction. DRC’s Litigation Counsel ensures the excellence of the LAU’s legal work. They lead and mentor LAU attorneys on multiple advocacy efforts, including federal and state court litigation and administrative hearings. Litigation Counsel identify complex legal and policy challenges, carry out necessary law reform activities, and offer technical assistance to, and collaborate with, other legal services and/or community-based organizations. They also provide litigation-related skills training to LAU staff. Litigation Counsel partner with each other and other DRC staff to ensure that DRC simultaneously (1) provides strategic, holistic, and coordinated advocacy services; and (2) maintains a significant and impact-focused litigation docket.
• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS DRC provides reasonable disability accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their employment. The Litigation Counsel’s essential functions include: Litigation and Advocacy Leadership · Identify and pursue novel and/or systemic impact litigation and policy advocacy addressing intersectional issues · Develop and manage an appropriate litigation docket · Identify and implement major policy advocacy, as necessary · Support teams in targeted representation, complex litigation, appellate work, and/or major policy advocacy · Provide technical assistance and skills-based training to LAU staff · Monitor cutting edge legal issues that affect the disability community · Mentor and support LAU staff on litigation or advocacy projects; and · Establish best practices for litigation and advocacy within DRC’s LAU. Administrative/Management · Participate as a member of the DRC legal management team to assist in the development and advancement of the LAU’s strategic direction · Collaborate with other Litigation Counsel to fulfill various administrative and litigation-related responsibilities; and · Co-review and approve requests to commence new litigation. Community-Based Advocacy · Engage in community-based advocacy and community leadership, representing the agency as the voice of our clients; · Prepare training materials, publications, reports, and/or presentations about legal work, including litigation and advocacy reports to funding entities, to the DRC Board of Directors, and other DRC units.
• SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None. Position requires leadership, training, and mentoring to litigating staff only.

Litigation Counsel

Attorney

• Supervise attorneys and advocates, including workload management, training, mentoring, and monitoring staff
• Lead a work team to develop and implement strategies to accomplish team goals
• Ensure work complies with grant requirements and procedural and quality standards, including handling personally identifiable information
• Conduct at least weekly teleconferences with attorneys and advocates
• Respond to inquiries and complaints concerning services
• Train attorneys, advocates, clients and others in substantive disability rights law
• Oversee intake, outreach and limited short-term assistance to meet grant deliverables
• Collaborate with ACE Supervision Team on projects and hiring teams
• Coordinate resources, conduct quality assurance reviews, and compile reports for grant reporting
• Perform outreach and monitor supervisee outreach to underserved communities
• Oversee Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program and work closely with Managing Attorney
• Perform other duties as assigned

Litigation Counsel

Supervising Attorney