Staff Attorney

ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE SOUTHERN CA•Los Angeles, CA

8d•$75,300 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization that advocates for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. AJSOCAL offers free legal help, engages in impact litigation, and advocates for policy change. Our services are open to individuals of all races and ethnicities, without restriction. AJSOCAL strives to be a champion for the most vulnerable members of the AAPI communities, while advancing civil rights and social justice for everyone. Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country. We provide supportive services for individuals wanting to start the immigration process through Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, the Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T-Visa, and U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops and resources to help you on your naturalization journey. Beyond immigration, we also lead community-centered initiatives such as the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, and our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) and Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies and grassroots partnerships that deepen our impact across Southern California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws and local practices that impact millions of Asian American and immigrant families across California.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate and active membership in good standing with the California State Bar
Minimum of 3 years of legal experience, including experience in election protection, public benefits, medical-legal partnerships, immigration, or other public interest law.
Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, voting rights, or public interest law
Experience or interest in voter protection, election monitoring, or community-based legal education
Experience working with diverse, immigrant, limited English speaking, and/or low-income communities
Valid driver’s license or access to alternative means of transportation

Nice To Haves

Experience or familiarity with AAPI communities preferred
Bilingual in at least one Asian language strongly preferred (Chinese, Korean, Thai, Tagalog, or Vietnamese)

Responsibilities

Support the Unit’s active federal and state court docket, including habeas corpus petitions, civil rights actions, and government transparency enforcement
Conduct legal research and writing, including motions, briefs, declarations, and correspondence
Assist with client and witness interviews, fact development, and case preparation
Participate in case strategy sessions and contribute to the Unit’s long-term litigation planning
Represent clients in depositions, hearings, and court or administrative proceedings as needed
Investigate and litigate violations of State and Federal voting rights laws
Litigate voting-rights related matters in State and Federal Court, including by the filing of new actions, collaboration on and preparation of amicus briefs, and development of expert testimony
Recruit, vet, and train volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law students to serve as legal observers at polling locations across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties
Develop training curricula covering voter intimidation identification, de-escalation, incident documentation, language access compliance, and legal reporting obligations
Coordinate field deployment logistics for volunteer observers during early voting, Election Day, and any special or runoff elections
Monitor for and document the presence of ICE, police, sheriff’s deputies, or organized hate groups near polling locations
Monitor for and document the absence or inadequacy of non-English signage, ballots, and voter assistance as required by the Voting Rights Act and California Elections Code
Compile incident reports and coordinate rapid-response legal escalation as warranted
Build and maintain relationships with county election officials, community organizations, and coalition partners
Develop and execute community outreach strategies for voter protection, including culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for AAPI communities
Conduct know-your-rights presentations and voter education sessions with local community-based organizations, faith institutions, and civic partners
Represent AJSOCAL at coalition meetings, advocacy events, and public forums related to voting rights and election integrity
All other duties as assigned