Legal Director

Work Location: Based in Anaheim, CA or Santa Clara, CA. Exemplary candidates in Sacramento and San Diego may be considered. Hybrid work schedule available. Will require occasional travel throughout CA.

Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required

Position Status: Exempt

Pay Range:

• Anaheim: $135,000 - $170,000

• Santa Clara: $150,000 - $185,000

Reports to: CAIR-SFBA Executive Director

Generous Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees and dependents, 3% employer-matched retirement plan, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 12 holidays.

Professional Support: We aim to support our attorneys with coverage of professional requirements, including State Bar membership fees, legal association membership fees, malpractice insurance, and CLE. We believe in investing in our team's ongoing development and compliance so you can focus on excellent client service and professional growth.

About Us: Join the largest American Muslim civil rights organization, where we are on the frontlines defending the rights to free speech, freedom of religion, fair employment, and full participation in American life without fear of reprisal.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization. Our passionate and talented team members are our greatest strength. At CAIR-CA, you'll be part of a diverse, mission-driven workforce committed to justice, equity, and building a better future for all.

If you're looking for meaningful work, a supportive community, and a place where your legal skills and management experience can help create real change, we invite you to apply and join us in this critical work and at this unprecedented time.

About the Role: CAIR-CA is seeking an experienced attorney and manager to fill the Legal Director position. The Legal Director will be instrumental in providing strategic vision, expertise, and leadership for the organization's civil rights and immigrants'

The Legal Director will collaborate with Executive Directors and managing attorneys at CAIR-CA's four offices to advance CAIR-CA's mission by overseeing legal services processes and standards, litigation, and network relationships. The role will guide and expand CAIR-CA's legal work.

This role involves monitoring, evaluating, and facilitating best practices, fostering cross-office communication, and ensuring consistency and quality across services.

The Legal Director will also be responsible for overseeing program metrics, tracking and reporting, ensuring the effective use of the client services case management system, and leading the organization's strategic and impact litigation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Legal Infrastructure
  • Lead the development and implementation of standardized policies, procedures, and systems for core legal operations (e.g., intakes, conflict checks, document retention).
  • Strengthen internal legal coordination by establishing clear processes and cross-office collaboration mechanisms.
  • Develop and monitor organizational performance metrics and accountability structures to support efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Scaling & Operations
  • Lead efforts to scale legal services to meet rising demand across the state.
  • Promote streamlined operations across the state to strengthen coordination and service delivery.
  • Identify and address systemic barriers that impact legal service delivery.
  • Lead the development of a robust statewide pro bono program to expand capacity for impact litigation, direct services, and legal clinics.
• Litigation & Legal Strategy
  • Oversee CAIR-CA's impact and strategic litigation, including review and approval of key pleadings, motions, and briefs.
  • Serve as a statewide legal thought leader by analyzing court rulings and emerging legal trends to inform strategy.
  • Provide high-level guidance on complex and/or precedent-setting cases and collaborate with local teams to ensure alignment.
• Team Development & Support
  • Mentor and support the organization's local attorneys through regular consultation and knowledge sharing.
  • Develop and implement onboarding and training programs to ensure staff are proficient in legal systems and CAIR-CA protocols.
  • Serve as a legal resource for internal consultation on substantive law and case management.
• Community & External Relations
  • Guide and coordinate statewide legal education efforts, ensuring consistent messaging and quality.
  • Cultivate partnerships with legal aid organizations, pro bono attorneys, and direct service providers.
  • Represent CAIR-CA in external legal spaces, including conferences, media engagements, and collaborative networks.
• Policy & Compliance
  • Work closely with CAIR-CA's policy department to align litigation and advocacy priorities.
  • Respond to and resolve legal service complaints and identify areas for systemic improvement.
  • Oversee the development of legal publications and contribute to public-facing reports.
• Technology & Innovation
  • Identify and implement technology solutions, including legal management systems, data analytics tools, and emerging tools such as AI, to improve legal workflows, enhance service delivery, and support strategic litigation.
  • Lead efforts to assess and adopt tools that automate routine legal tasks (e.g., intake triage, document generation, case tracking), reduce administrative burden, and improve consistency across offices.
  • Collaborate with IT and operations teams to ensure legal technology aligns with organizational privacy, security, and compliance requirements.
  • Stay informed on legal tech trends and evaluate their relevance to CAIR-CA's mission and services.
• Leadership & Supervision
  • Collaborate closely with statewide and local directors-across legal, programs, communications, and operations-to align legal strategies with organizational initiatives and ensure seamless service delivery.
  • May supervise staff; provide input on performance evaluation and professional development plans.
• Grants & Compliance
  • Conduct regular audits of case files and case management systems to ensure compliance with internal policies, legal standards, and best practices.
  • Assist with securing and implementing statewide legal grants.
  • Support program audits, funder reporting, and compliance requirements.

Qualifications:

• Law degree from an American Bar Association accredited school
• Active membership in the California State Bar
• 10+ years of experience advocating for, representing, and/or litigating on behalf of clients
• 7+ years of management experience including managing attorneys and legal staff
• 5+ years of experience in a nonprofit direct services organization
• Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability for meeting deadlines
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
• Comfort working productively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including public speaking experience
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• High degree of self-motivation and creativity
• A strong commitment to civil rights and CAIR's mission
• Basic computer proficiency including knowledge of SharePoint, Office 365, OneDrive, and WestLaw Next

TO APPLY: Submit (1) a cover letter, (2) your resume, (3) a legal writing sample, and (4) three professional references.

CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

Salary

• $150,000 - $185,000/year