Supervising Attorney

Join to apply for the Supervising Attorney role at National Legal Aid & Defender Association

Job Title:

Supervising Attorney

Reports to:

Legal Director
Department:
Litigation
Salary: $160,000-$175,000 annually

Location:

Hybrid/Remote;
Los Angeles/Orange County/San Diego, CA, USA
Position Type:
Full Time
FLSA Status (Exempt/Non-Exempt):
Exempt
Anticipated

Start Date:

Negotiable;
Early 2026 preferred

The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law seeks an innovative attorney with a clear theory of change and a history of leading successful impact litigation. The supervising attorney will work closely with the legal director and other team members to develop legal advocacy strategies and lead new impact and class action litigation. Among our landmark cases and victories are Munoz v.

Bell, Plyler v. Doe, Orantes-Hernandez v. Smith, Flores v. Reno, League of United Latin American Citizens v. Wilson, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee v. Anti-Defamation League of the B'Nai B'rith, Reno v. Catholic Social Services, LULAC v. Arizona, Flores v. Sessions, Lucas R. v. Azar, and Flores v. Garland. The Center serves as class counsel overseeing nationwide settlements in Flores and Lucas and, together with our co‑counsel, is responsible for monitoring conditions in all facilities and locations where DHS or ORR detain youth, including regular monitoring of CBP and ICE facilities that detain children and families.

We recently filed ICWC v. Noem, a putative class action seeking to protect immigrant survivors targeted by new ICE policies. Our open docket includes Flores, ICWC, and some FOIA and habeas litigation. Our litigation team includes the Legal Director, a paralegal, and two staff attorneys. We are a small team with the flexibility and support to bring the cases we believe best help the communities we serve and a deep commitment to effecting systemic change.

• Conceiving, developing, and litigating impact cases from conception to completion, including identifying needs, working with staff attorneys to develop facts, developing legal theories and strategy in collaboration with the Legal Director and legal team, drafting briefs, conducting discovery, communicating with clients and opposing counsel, presenting oral argument, and taking and defending depositions;
• Monitoring immigration detention facilities through site visits and interviews with adults and children in immigration custody;
• Supervising staff attorneys and helping them to develop their litigation skills;
• Working closely with qualified legal service providers to identify patterns of injustice, particularly in the area of immigration, and representing QLSPs in litigation addressing these patterns;
• Working with and supporting the legal and advocacy teams on holistic legal advocacy, including campaigns and efforts in conjunction with litigation such as media engagement, community organizing, public education, and other advocacy;
• Meeting with and providing support to coalition partners and community groups;
• Drafting practice advisories, providing technical support, and leading webinars and in‑person trainings for direct legal service providers.

Education and Requirements:

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school
• Licensed to practice law in California or willing to take the CA Bar

Experience:

• Preferred 10+ years of impact litigation experience, including federal class action cases; minimum five years impact litigation experience;
• Experience in immigration law through impact litigation or direct services;
• Experience supervising legal staff, fellows, or interns and providing mentorship and feedback to staff.

Other Desired Qualities:

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and defending the constitutional, human and civil rights of immigrants, refugees, asylum‑seekers, women, LGBTQ persons, children, and indigenous populations;
• Personal or lived experience with immigration or close family members or loved ones with direct experience;
• Commitment to building a healthy and collaborative work environment;
• Ability and desire to build and invest in relationships with partner organizations and community members;
• Bilingual…