Civil Rights Senior Litigation​/Staff Attorney

Overview

Join CAIR-CA as a Civil Rights Senior Litigation/Staff Attorney in the Los Angeles office. This full‑time position focuses on litigating civil rights matters affecting the American Muslim community, including free speech, discrimination, religious accommodation, and national security issues. The role combines litigation, advocacy, and public education, working closely with the Civil Rights Managing Attorney and Legal Director.

• Identify, develop, and lead systematic litigation initiatives addressing issues impacting the American Muslim community.
• Review and assess legal intakes to select high‑impact cases.
• Conduct factual and legal research to build strong litigation theories.
• Lead matters from witness interviews to trial, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, briefs, and oral arguments.
• Draft legal documents such as memoranda, demand letters, pleadings, affidavits and related writing.
• Assist in managing support staff, including attorneys, fellows, paralegals, interns and coordinators.
• Coordinate with CAIR‑LA departments (Policy, Communications, Development) to maximize impact.
• Communicate with external parties—co‑counsel, employers, agencies, media—and represent CAIR at press conferences.
• Travel for community outreach, advocacy events, and coalition meetings.
• Support additional legal and advocacy projects as assigned.
• Assist with general office duties (phone answering, outreach, fundraising) as needed.

• J.D. from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• California State Bar admission.
• 5–7 + years of civil litigation experience, preferably in anti‑discrimination, civil rights, constitutional, free‑speech, employment, religious or national‑security matters.
• Ability to independently develop and litigate complex cases.
• Strong commitment to CAIR’s mission and to advancing American‑Muslim empowerment.
• Excellent research, writing, oral communication, and public speaking skills.
• Strong organizational, time‑management, and project‑management abilities.
• Experience working with diverse communities and backgrounds.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel within Southern California.
• Proficiency with Office 365, One Drive, Lexis/Westlaw; knowledge of cloud and social‑media tools preferred.
• Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu is a plus.

CAIR‑CA is an equal‑opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local non‑discrimination laws.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references via the link provided below.

• Full‑time, occasional evening and weekend work required.
• Hybrid work schedule (current temporary).
• Salary range: $90,000–$117,000 per year, commensurate with skills.