Senior Staff Attorney (Litigation)

Asian Law Caucus • San Francisco, CA

4d • $113,912 - $148,629 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a Senior Staff Attorney to build strategic litigation addressing community needs across its program areas. Litigation may aim to change or define legal precedent, protect community members from harm, expose systemic drivers of injustice, shape narratives, and deter unjust actions by governmental and private actors. The attorney reports to the Litigation Director and works closely with attorneys across the organization. At the senior level, the attorney exercises greater leadership and independence consistent with ALC’s criteria for senior designation.

ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focused on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Since 1972, it has pursued civil rights litigation, policy advocacy, community education, and direct client representation for low-income immigrants and communities of color through its Housing Rights, Workers’ Rights, Immigrant Justice, and National Democracy Initiative programs, as well as emerging areas of law.

This is a regular, exempt, full-time position in San Francisco, California, with a hybrid schedule requiring two days per week in the office. The position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410. The attorney will travel as required for investigations, depositions, hearings, trials, and related activities, and participate in regular check-ins and organization meetings, including two annual retreats and an anniversary celebration dinner in the San Francisco Bay Area. The salary range is $113,912–$148,629. Language premiums are available for demonstrated proficiency in a non-English language regularly used in job duties: $1,500 annually for oral proficiency and $1,500 for written proficiency in each language.

Requirements

• B.A. or B.S. and J.D. degrees.
• Membership in the California Bar.
• At least five years of experience conducting state and/or federal court litigation, with particular focus on public interest and/or civil rights litigation.
• Demonstrated commitment to low-income, immigrant, and/or API/AMEMSA communities.
• Excellent legal research, analysis, and written and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases and projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate and tell stories effectively to legal and lay audiences.
• Motivation to work as a self-starter and willingness to learn and grow.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with attorneys, advocates, and community-based organizations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with voting rights, administrative law, constitutional law, discrimination law, structural reform, writ practice, and/or class-action practice.
• Proficiency in an Asian or Middle Eastern language.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic impact litigation addressing civil rights and economic justice issues affecting Asian and Pacific Islander communities, including Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian communities, as well as other low-income and immigrant communities.
• Work with the Litigation Director, Program Directors, and Managing Attorneys to identify litigation opportunities advancing inclusive democracy, immigrant justice, workers’ rights, and housing rights, drawing on direct-service experience and community partners.
• Develop innovative legal theories and strategies and identify litigation needs that cross or fall between ALC program areas, including racial equity, census, national security, privacy, and other constitutional protections.
• Conduct factual investigations and build trusting relationships with potential organizational, associational, and individual plaintiffs, and prospective co-counsel, with support from the Pro Bono and Volunteer Services Manager.
• Pursue cases and conduct all aspects of civil trial and appellate litigation in state and federal court, including case development and filing, discovery, mediation, motions practice, dispositive motions, class certification when appropriate, evidentiary proceedings, trials, appeals, and settlements.
• Lead and help manage litigation teams involving junior attorneys, co-counsel, and/or pro bono counsel, while fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Analyze court rulings and legal strategy for ALC staff and its board of directors, the public, the media, and other stakeholders.
• Travel as required for case investigations, depositions, hearings, trials, and related activities.
• Participate in regular supervisor and supervisee check-ins, staff, team, and other organization meetings, two annual retreats, and an anniversary celebration dinner in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Benefits

• Generous vacation and paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; ALC pays 100% of employee premiums and 75% of premiums for qualified dependents.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Commuter benefits.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.
• Annual language premiums of $1,500 for oral proficiency and $1,500 for written proficiency in each non-English language regularly used in job duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior