Description:

The Opportunity:
ERA is looking for an Attorney/Counsel with proven litigation experience in employment law and in the civil rights space.

As a Senior Counsel or Senior Staff Attorney, you will be responsible for engaging in all aspects of impact and individual litigation, developing new cases for litigation, assisting in crafting litigation strategy, drafting and reviewing amicus briefs, and developing and maintaining litigation relationships to advance ERA's mission. You may also be involved in defending against threats to the civil rights of workers and students. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop and engage in high-impact litigation on key civil rights, economic security, and gender justice issues in a thriving organization with creative and dedicated staff and a supportive work environment.

The Senior Counsel or Senior Staff Attorney will report to ERA's Director of Litigation.

Primary Responsibilities:

Conduct cutting-edge impact and individual litigation, including conducting legal research; investigating facts, working with clients; drafting pleadings, briefs and legal memoranda; engaging in discovery and motion practice; and conducting evidentiary hearings and oral arguments in court;
Identify and develop new matters for litigation by conducting factual, legal and strategic analyses and formulating relevant theories and materials;
Draft amicus briefs and review amicus briefs drafted by others for possible ERA involvement;
Develop collaborative partnerships with other advocacy groups, legal services providers, plaintiffs' attorneys, law firms, and other partners by participating in task forces and coalitions, attending conferences, and co-counseling lawsuits;
Provide legal and strategy analysis, technical assistance, and thought leadership on substantive issues related to ERA's mission to attorneys, government agencies, officials and staff, the media, worker and student organizations, and grassroots advocates when called upon by ERA leadership, departments, and programs;
Assist in supervision of law student interns and provide occasional assistance to attorney fellow, as needed;
Review public-facing legal training materials, resources, self-help tools, and “Know Your Rights” materials;
Work closely with ERA's legal and non-legal program staff to develop and implement communication strategies that promote and magnify the impact of ERA's legal work;
Assist ERA's development team in drafting applications or reporting on grants that support the organization's legal work, as needed;
Occasional travel, as needed, for litigation, meetings, conferences, and other advocacy or professional development activities;
Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned by ERA supervisory staff.

Candidate Profile:
Required Qualifications:

J.D. and at least one active bar membership;
A minimum of four (4) years of post-J.D. litigation experience, including drafting case documents and engaging in discovery and motions practice, including at least 3 years of experience litigating employment discrimination cases;
Demonstrated commitment to social, gender, and racial justice with a passion for achieving equity and economic justice for women, girls, and/or LGBTQI+ people;
Outstanding research, writing, and analytical skills;
Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team;
Excellent verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to give and receive feedback and resolve conflicts constructively;
Ability to travel to ERA's headquarters in San Francisco three or four time per year, if working remotely, and to travel occasionally as needed for litigation, meetings or conferences.

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of the following professional and personal skills and attributes:

Experience engaging in legal advocacy on subjects related to ERA's mission, such as defending and expanding employment and education-related civil rights, protecting and advancing women's economic security, racial justice or immigrant rights, and/or combating gender-based violence;
Experience collaborating with progressive nonprofit organizations and/or plaintiff-side employment lawyers;
Experience working directly with clients from diverse backgrounds and populations, including communities of color, low-wage workers, immigrants, and/or LGBTQI+ individuals;
A high degree of self-motivation and initiative, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines under time pressure;
Experience working on a team and setting and fostering a collaborative approach to case work and other advocacy efforts;
Experience with policy advocacy and/or communications work related to litigation preferred but not required.

The Candidate must have a valid authorization to work in the United States. ERA is unable to sponsor work visas. ERA does not provide relocation assistance.