Director of Litigation

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley•San Jose, CA

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Law Foundation is looking for an experienced and dynamic impact litigator and leader to protect and advance justice for low-income individuals and families through strategic and community-driven litigation. The Law Foundation has a deep history of impact litigation stretching back to its founding in 1974. Through decades of work, the Law Foundation secured systemic reforms across housing, disability rights, criminal justice, and immigrant and civil rights, achieving precedent-setting rulings and settlements that changed conditions for thousands of low-income people across the region. After a period without a dedicated Director of Litigation, the Law Foundation is making a deliberate and sustained reinvestment in this work. The Director of Litigation (“DOL”) will lead that effort, building on a storied legacy while shaping what comes next. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer (“CPO”), the DOL will lead and support impact litigation across all of the Law Foundation’s programs and serving as the organization’s primary litigation resource across all of our programs and, over time, building and leading a dedicated Impact Litigation team. The DOL will provide litigation expertise and strategic thought partnership to staff across programs, honoring and amplifying the subject matter expertise and experience of each individual program. The DOL will build litigation skills throughout the organization by mentoring and training staff, promote retention by giving interested staff the opportunity to actively participate in impact cases, and foster collaboration across programs and departments. The DOL will work closely with the Pro Bono Directing Attorney to identify and engage pro bono co-counsel for impact litigation matters. The Law Foundation has deep relationships with Silicon Valley law firms and a long history of co-counseling with those firms and peer public interest organizations across the state. The DOL will inherit and expand those partnerships, bringing the resources and reach of the private bar to bear on the systemic issues confronting the Law Foundation's clients.

Requirements

J.D. and current California Bar membership in good standing
At least 10 years of legal experience
Significant management and/or mentorship experience including working with and fostering the talents of junior staff, with experience in an organization-wide role at a non-profit or legal aid organization
A demonstrated track record of success leading impact litigation, including meaningful outcomes achieved and attorneys' fees secured
Significant trial experience in state and federal courts, including drafting legal briefs and arguing motions or appeals

Nice To Haves

A demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice, along with a genuine investment in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion both in the workplace and in the communities the Law Foundation serves
Experience working with clients living in poverty, including those navigating addiction or mental health challenges, paired with a trauma-informed approach to legal advocacy as a matter of practice, not just principle
The ability to work well across teams, levels, and functions, and to navigate difficult conversations and address conflict directly and constructively
Excellent judgment and discretion, along with interpersonal, management, and organizational skills that earn respect both internally and with external partners
An inspiring, decisive, collaborative, transparent, and flexible leadership style — someone who adapts their approach to the moment without losing sight of the bigger picture
High emotional intelligence and cultural competency: curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, compassionate, patient, willing to listen, and grounded in a growth mindset
Experience developing strategic communications and engaging with press and funders
Meaningful experience mentoring and developing attorneys, with a proven ability to teach and cultivate talent at every level

Responsibilities

Leads and develops the Law Foundation’s impact litigation strategy.
Hires, supervises, and trains direct reports.
Maintains and manages the organizational impact litigation docket.
Provides mentorship, support, and training to attorneys throughout the organization regarding litigation.
Builds and sustains strong relationships with community partners, co-counsel, coalitions, peer organizations, and external stakeholders to support impact litigation.
Files and leads impact litigation in state and federal court.
Collaboratively develops the Law Foundation’s impact litigation priorities across issue areas and operationalizes the priorities in partnership with the CPO.
Stays abreast of legal developments to ensure the Law Foundation deploys the most effective strategies to achieve its priorities and goals.
Collaborates with staff and community members to identify, evaluate, and develop potential litigation matters.
Coordinates amicus strategy across the organization.
Consults on factual investigations, legal research, case analysis, and risk assessments to determine litigation viability.
Manages the Law Foundation’s attorneys’ fees practice.
Partners with the Pro Bono Directing Attorney for placement of impact litigation cases with appropriate pro-bono counsel.
Engages with the Board of Directors with updates and alignment on litigation strategy.
Partners with the communications team to elevate the visibility of the Law Foundation’s litigation work.
Represents the organization at conferences, trainings, and other public facing events.
Collaborates with the development team to secure grants and other support for impact litigation.
Partner with IT to identify and implement technology and AI-based tools that strengthen litigation management.
Work collaboratively with other Law Foundation programs and departments to build cohesion and unity within the organization.

Benefits

19 paid holidays per year
3-5 weeks of vacation per year
12 days of sick leave per year
Up to 6 months of parental leave
Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program
A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job
An annual budget for professional development
Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees
The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule