Litigation Counsel

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) Excellent Benefits

SALARY RANGE:   $113,144.85 - $165,704.18 annually – (Band 14, Steps A-J) (Depending on Experience)

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. 

WHO WE ARE

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

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.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSES

This opportunity is only available to applicants meeting the minimum requirements listed below:

· Member of the California State Bar

· Eight years of practice in substantial civil litigation, or if working in clerkships or criminal defense, at least six years’ experience in civil litigation

· Experience in mentoring or supervising attorneys

· Experience with client representation of people with disabilities

· Experience identifying and addressing clients’ intersectional needs

· Experience with laws, rights, and services that pertain to people with disabilities, and/or direct representation of people with   disabilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Litigation experience in civil rights and/or anti-discrimination laws, including addressing disability rights and/or race-based inequities

· Experience in the disability rights movement and with the disability community

· Ability to develop impact strategies and identify structural discrimination

· Experience with ethnic or language distinct communities, homelessness or affordable housing, Medicare programs, education law, or LGBTQIA+ communities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None. Position requires leadership, training, and mentoring to litigating staff only.

BILINGUAL ABILITY

Proficiency in ASL, Spanish, or Asian language(s) desired but not required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel to various DRC offices, courts, trainings, and other limited events. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability-related reasonable accommodations:

· Duties are performed between an office or home environment and the field in a wide range of settings, including courthouses, facilities, or other institutional settings, or in community-based settings.

· Duties require regular communication over online platforms.

· Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, trainings, and community events.

Your application packet must include the following:

· Current resume

· Cover letter explaining your interest, qualifications, and experience

· Three professional references; and

· Legal writing sample.

Email your application packet to talent@disabilityrightsca.org by: October 24, 2025.