Senior Litigator

CRLA Headquarters - Modesto, CA 95354 Overview Salary Range: $ - $ Salary Position Type:
Full Time

Senior Litigator

WHO WE ARE
:
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm that dismantles unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. We work with people priced out of private legal representation so they can uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Through our 17 Rural Justice Centers, communities can access a broad range of legal tools, including direct legal services, place-based advocacy to expand equity in civic institutions, and specialized litigation to advance civil rights.

Position:
Senior Litigator

Experience:

8+ years
Final date to receive applications:
Open until filled

Location:

Hybrid at any CRLA office
Term of Employment:
Regular, Full-Time
Other: FLSA Exempt, Non-Union Position

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Senior Litigator will join a growing team of experienced litigators to support CRLA’s impact litigation and systemic advocacy. CRLA believes in using an array of advocacy tools to address systemic issues, including litigation, policy advocacy, community education, media, and collaboration with other organizations. The Senior Litigator will have the opportunity to demonstrate strategic and innovative thought leadership to address challenging and complex matters on behalf of rural Californians seeking equity and justice.

The Senior Litigator will be responsible for leading and supporting impact litigation and systemic advocacy, developing staff’s litigation skills through co-counseling and trainings, and helping shape CRLA’s strategic advocacy goals. Advocacy will focus on CRLA’s priority areas and other areas affecting rural populations including housing, labor and employment, education, health, public benefits, and civil rights. The ideal candidate will have experience using an array of advocacy tools, and a strong foundational understanding of the root causes of poverty.

• Litigate systemic impact cases and undertake systemic advocacy as lead or co-counsel.
• Work with CRLA programs to identify systemic advocacy opportunities.
• Research and analyze complex legal issues and develop effective advocacy strategies to combat systemic injustices through multi-faceted approaches including legal, policy, and community advocacy.
• Investigate and develop factual legal claims, prepare pleadings and motions, conduct discovery, present oral arguments, and represent clients in trials.
• Attend court appearances, mediations, and settlement conferences.
• Develop expertise in one or more areas of poverty law within CRLA’s priorities.
• Maintain a high level of professional competence through attendance at training sessions, seminars, and conferences and individual efforts to keep abreast of current developments in poverty law and issues affecting low-income people.

• Provide co-counseling or other litigation support to CRLA advocates.
• Provide mentorship and serve as a resource to newer attorneys and advocates across CRLA.
• Lead litigation and systemic advocacy efforts as part of a team, delegating tasks and ensuring effective advocacy by other members of the team.
• Develop resources for litigation and systemic advocacy best practices and conduct training on discrete aspects of litigation and systemic advocacy.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, particularly groups and individuals who are most directly affected by the legal issues CRLA seeks to address.
• Ensure that case handling complies with CRLA policies, Legal Services Corporation regulations, the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Services, and ethical obligations.

• Advise CRLA’s Executive Director, General Counsel, and Deputy Director on strategic advocacy initiatives.
• Raise awareness of CRLA’s work and the issues faced by CRLA’s clients through media, participation in conferences, and collaboration with other organizations, agencies, and issue- and community-based coalitions.
• Support the establishment…