Director of Litigation

Disability Rights California • Sacramento, CA

6d • Remote

About The Position

The Director of Litigation provides leadership and direction for DRC’s litigation practice, with particular emphasis on providing leadership, collaboration, and strategic direction to litigators and practice groups in the LAU. The Director honors, supports, and amplifies the expertise within each practice group and works closely with DRC’s Leadership Team to promote and guide a cohesive and coordinated approach to high-quality litigation across the organization. The Director mentors and supports attorneys at all levels while serving as the leader of a team of experienced attorneys, supervising Litigation Counsel and possibly senior litigation support staff as needed. The Director reports to the Associate Executive Director overseeing the LAU.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) or equivalent and membership in good standing with the California State Bar. Will consider applications from current California Registered Legal Aid Attorneys.
• 15 years of experience litigating complex cases in State or Federal court.
• 10 years of experience supervising or leading litigating attorneys with demonstrated results reflecting successful mentorship, coaching, and supervision.
• Demonstrated skills and results as a litigator with substantive legal and practice expertise that earns the respect of their teams.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize resources and goals, determining which work requires immediate attention and being transparent about what is achievable with available resources.
• Effective interpersonal, communication, and teambuilding skills to build and maintain a positive and supportive working environment.
• Expertise in one or more substantive areas of law DRC practices, including but not limited to civil rights, disability accessibility, and public benefits.
• Expertise in legal professional responsibility and ethics.
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Windows-based computer applications including Microsoft Office, case management software, and Zoom.
• Ability to travel routinely, up to 25% of the time, for activities such as hearings or trial, client visits, team meetings, education, training, or outreach activities.
• More travel may be required to meet client, program, or funder requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in legal services or a nonprofit organization.
• Experience in the disability rights movement and/or extensive contacts in the disability community.
• Familiarity with requirements governing recipients of federal and California State Bar funding.

Responsibilities

• Organization-Wide Litigation Strategy and Leadership
• Collaboratively develops a coordinated strategic vision and goals to guide DRC’s litigation priorities across issue areas and brings this vision to life in DRC’s work.
• Guides and strengthens DRC’s overall litigation strategy by aligning work across teams.
• Coordinates amicus strategies across DRC, including identifying amicus opportunities and overseeing the drafting and filing of amicus briefs.
• Stays abreast of national, state, and local legal developments to ensure DRC deploys the most effective strategies to meet its priorities and goals.
• Represents DRC in the national network of disability Protection & Advocacy agencies’ litigation collaboration and activities.
• Management and Leadership of LAU Litigation
• Leads, mentors, and supports the LAU’s litigation attorneys, advocates, and support staff, fostering excellence, collaboration, and growth.
• Oversees DRC’s case docket and the development of novel or complex legal theories in our cases.
• Actively assists in select pieces of high-profile litigation by supporting lead counsel and the team through all phases of litigation, including investigations, discovery, motions, trial, appeals, settlements, and settlement implementation and monitoring.
• Directly supervises and mentors Senior Litigation Counsel and Litigation Counsel, including by holding consistent individual check-in meetings, supporting their development, providing needed resources, and providing growth-oriented feedback.
• Recruits and hires LAU litigation staff, attracting and retaining high-performing employees.
• Ensures that all work complies with professional, ethical, and program requirements and meets procedural and quality standards.
• In collaboration with other LAU leaders, oversees the departmental litigation budget and compliance with associated grant terms and deliverables.
• Litigation Development, Execution, and Technical Expertise
• Collaborates with staff to identify, evaluate, and develop potential litigation matters arising from DRC’s direct services work and from disability community needs.
• Consults on factual investigations, legal research, case analysis, and risk assessments to determine litigation viability.
• Provides technical assistance and strategic thought partnership to attorneys throughout the organization at all stages of litigation.
• Collaborates with other LAU leaders to identify litigation training needs and facilitates or conducts litigation trainings.
• Cross Department Collaboration, Partnerships, and External Engagement
• Builds and sustains strong relationships with community partners, co-counsel, coalitions, peer organizations, law firms, pro bono partners, and external stakeholders to support coordinated and community-centered litigation.
• Partners with the Communications team to craft compelling messaging and elevate the visibility and impact of DRC’s litigation and related campaigns, including by representing DRC at conferences, trainings, and other public-facing events.
• Collaborates with the Information Technology team to identify and implement IT platforms and tools that enhance litigation management, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 8% Match – 401K
• Health benefits (HMO options)
• Additional Benefits: dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter).
• Health Reimbursement Accounts for some HMO Plans.
• Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Teladoc.
• We offer ample vacation, Sick / Self Care time and holidays (including the last week in December)
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree