Managing Attorney

ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.

Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams:
Child, Youth & Family Advocacy, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants' Rights, Education Equity, and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law (OUL).

Public Counsel has a full-time staff of approximately 160. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms.

ABOUT OPPORTUNITY UNDER LAW

OUL brings community-based impact litigation to eliminate barriers to opportunity. We represent individuals and communities confronting structural injustice and discrimination In areas like education, housing, and immigration. Many of our cases arise from Public Counsel's representation of individual clients who face persistent injustices. By working closely with the organization's direct services programs and across its subject areas, OUL is uniquely positioned to bring meaningful impact cases in California and beyond, work closely with affected communities, and communicate broadly to advance public discourse.

Our cases strategically pursue novel claims to address intersectional issues and secure landmark victories in doctrinal areas commonly regarded as off limits for civil rights advocacy.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director of Litigation, the Managing Attorney provides leadership and management for Public Counsel's impact litigation team. In partnership with the Director of Litigation, the Managing Attorney helps oversee OUL's litigation docket and ensures the effective staffing and execution of high-impact cases arising from Public Counsel's direct services work and community-identified needs. The Managing Attorney supervises, mentors, and supports OUL attorneys, fellows, and interns, fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture and ensuring high-quality advocacy.

The role includes responsibility for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, supervising, and performance management. The Managing Attorney may serve as lead counsel in select matters and works closely with Directing Attorneys and the Senior Special Counsel for Strategic Litigation to support coordinated cross-team litigation. The position involves OUL program administration, including budgeting, grant compliance, and pro bono engagement, as well as external communications and relationship-building to strengthen the reach and impact of OUL's work.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Attorney, Fellow & Intern Supervision and Mentorship

• Along with the Director of Litigation, leads, mentors, and supports OUL's attorneys and fellows, fostering excellence, collaboration, and growth
• Directly supervises OUL's strategic litigation counsel, staff attorneys, and fellows (currently seven staff total), including by holding consistent individual and group check-in meetings, supporting their development, providing growth-oriented feedback, and conducting formal evaluations
• Along with the Program Manager, organizes and facilitates OUL meetings, retreats, strategic planning, and team-building activities
• Engages in active and intentional recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training for OUL attorneys and fellows to attract and retain high-performing employees
• Recruits and supervises OUL's academic year and summer law student interns, and supports the integration of social work interns into the team

Substantive Litigation, Cross-Team Collaboration, and Case Staffing

• Along with the Director of Litigation, oversees OUL's docket and the development of novel or complex legal theories underpinning our cases as well as the related litigation plans and media strategies
• Collaborates with staff to identify, evaluate, and develop potential impact litigation matters for OUL arising from Public Counsel's direct services work and from community needs on the local, state, and national levels-including by coordinating quarterly organization-wide system change meetings in four substantive areas (housing, economic justice, immigration, and child, youth & family/education)
• Serves as counsel in select pieces of OUL's…