Description:

Position Description:
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Senior Litigator will join a growing team of experienced litigators to support CRLA's impact litigation and systemic advocacy. CRLA believes in using an array of advocacy tools to address systemic issues, including litigation, policy advocacy, community education, media, and collaboration with other organizations. The Senior Litigator will have the opportunity to demonstrate strategic and innovative thought leadership to address challenging and complex matters on behalf of rural Californians seeking equity and justice.

The Senior Litigator will be responsible for leading and supporting impact litigation and systemic advocacy, developing staff's litigation skills through co-counseling and trainings, and helping shape CRLA's strategic advocacy goals. Advocacy will focus on CRLA's priority areas and other areas affecting rural populations including housing, labor and employment, education, health, public benefits, and civil rights. The ideal candidate will have experience using an array of advocacy tools, and a strong foundational understanding of the root causes of poverty.

Essential Responsibilities:
Systemic Advocacy

Litigate systemic impact cases and undertake systemic advocacy as lead or co-counsel.
Work with CRLA programs to identify systemic advocacy opportunities.
Research and analyze complex legal issues and develop effective advocacy strategies to combat systemic injustices through multi-faceted approaches including legal, policy, and community advocacy.
Investigate and develop factual legal claims, prepare pleadings and motions, conduct discovery, present oral arguments, and represent clients in trials.
Attend court appearances, mediations, and settlement conferences.
Develop expertise in one or more areas of poverty law within CRLA's priorities.
Maintain a high level of professional competence through attendance at training sessions, seminars, and conferences and individual efforts to keep abreast of current developments in poverty law and issues affecting low-income people.

Staff Development and Collaboration

Provide co-counseling or other litigation support to CRLA advocates.
Provide mentorship and serve as a resource to newer attorneys and advocates across CRLA.
Lead litigation and systemic advocacy efforts as part of a team, delegating tasks and ensuring effective advocacy by other members of the team.
Develop resources for litigation and systemic advocacy best practices and conduct training on discrete aspects of litigation and systemic advocacy.
Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, particularly groups and individuals who are most directly affected by the legal issues CRLA seeks to address.
Ensure that case handling complies with CRLA policies, Legal Services Corporation regulations, the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Services, and ethical obligations.

Organizational Responsibilities

Advise CRLA's Executive Director, General Counsel, and Deputy Director on strategic advocacy initiatives.
Raise awareness of CRLA's work and the issues faced by CRLA's clients through media, participation in conferences, and collaboration with other organizations, agencies, and issue- and community-based coalitions.
Support the establishment of policies and programs that promote a desirable organizational culture and vision.
Model appropriate leadership behaviors and take swift action to mitigate behaviors that compromise CRLA values. In collaboration with Human Resources, ensure a culture of knowledge sharing and continued learning.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

Minimum of eight (8) years of experience practicing law, preferably in one of CRLA's priority areas.
Minimum of five (5) years of experience with litigation or systemic advocacy.
Admitted to the California Bar, or any other State Bar and willingness to take the next California Bar Exam.
Demonstrated ability to co-counsel with and mentor junior attorneys in systemic litigation.
Demonstrated ability to be a successful member of a collaborative team.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income, marginalized, and diverse populations.
Demonstrated commitment to working with rural populations.
Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
Experience in the non-profit or public sector.
Supervisory experience.