Civil Rights Senior Staff Attorney

About the role

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area office (CAIR-LA) is seeking a passionate and dedicated Civil Rights Senior Staff Attorney, licensed to practice law in California, with five (5) or more years of experience.

The Senior Staff Attorney will play a vital role in protecting the civil rights of American Muslims and other marginalized communities through direct legal services, advocacy, and litigation.

Responsibilities

• Review and investigate an array of legal claims brought by a diverse community
• Lead and manage assigned casework and litigation efforts, including preparing pleadings, motions, discovery, and briefs
• Independently manage a considerable caseload
• Identify, develop, lead and manage assigned litigation efforts
• Legal research and writing and non-legal writing including drafting community advisories, issuing briefings, and reports
• Maintain legal calendaring system for statutes of limitations, deadlines, and timely filings of extensions, pleadings, petitions, and applications for cases assigned to or including staff attorney
• Communicate with outside parties such as attorneys, employers, law enforcement agents, administrative agencies, media contacts, etc.
• Engage in effective and zealous client representation, communications, and management
• Education and empowerment of community members on their rights through community presentations, Know Your Rights workshops, and drafting and distributing educational material
• Support partnership and network building by attending partnership and network meetings, identifying and developing new partner and network relationships
• Prepare and assist with CAIR-California reports
• Organize and participate in special civil rights events, forums, community outreach, and trainings
• Travel for outreach including participating in community events and coalition meetings
• Supervise staff, law clerks, and interns, as assigned, including scheduling check-ins and reviewing and/or assigning work product
• All CAIR staff are required to assist in general duties such as answering phones, weekly outreach, fundraising, and other office tasks as required

Qualifications

• Law degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school
• California State Bar admission, in good standing
• Minimum five (5) years of experience practicing law, preferably in the areas of civil rights, religious discrimination, employment law, national security, constitutional law, public accommodation, or public interest
• Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability for meeting deadlines
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
• Comfort working productively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Excellent legal research, legal writing, and oral advocacy skills
• Access to a working vehicle and the ability to drive throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area
• High degree of self-motivation and creativity
• A strong commitment to civil rights and CAIR's mission
• Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with people from diverse cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds
• Basic computer proficiency including knowledge of Office 365, OneDrive, and WestLaw Next
• Knowledge of cloud applications such as SharePoint and social media applications (preferred)
• Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Spanish, Farsi, or Urdu (preferred but not required)

Benefits

Generous Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees & dependents, 3% employer-matched retirement plan, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days and 10 holidays, hybrid work schedule utilized temporarily.