Interim Disability & Health Justice Program Director

The Interim Disability & Health Justice Program (DHJP) Director will lead a creative team in advancing disability justice, combating ableism, and advocating for the rights of low-income workers. Our work spans litigation, policy advocacy, community education, and direct services.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity for a civil rights attorney with significant litigation experience to lead a dynamic team. The ideal candidate will bring enthusiasm and proven commitment for systems-level impact in the disability rights, employment discrimination, and/or occupational health and safety space.

Responsibilities

• Implement the strategy for the program in partnership with the VP of Programs and Litigation, the Director of Litigation, and the other legal staff on the team
• Oversee the Program's litigation docket, including class actions, representative actions, individual actions, and amicus work and other advocacy efforts
• Identify areas for collaboration across Program teams
• Oversee the Program's collaborations with community partners
• Manage the Program administration, including preparing the program budget, coordinating program projects, supervising Program attorneys and staff, timekeeping, and assisting with the preparation of grant applications and reports

Requirements

• Active member of the California State Bar and based in California
• 8+ years of litigation experience; demonstrated track record bringing forth impact and class action litigation
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated track record setting and executing against programmatic strategies
• Experience working with people with disabilities (those who are neurodivergent, have mental health disabilities and/or sensory disabilities), people who are low-income, or incarcerated populations
• Experience with investigating, developing, and litigating civil rights cases (including discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials and/or appeals in state and federal court)
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively with a small team of attorneys and paralegals
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritizing competing deadlines
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience thinking strategically about the role of a legal nonprofit in supporting grassroots organizing efforts
• Deep commitment to racial equity work and incorporating racial equity principles into legal advocacy
• Deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and the ability to hold and foster difficult and necessary conversations about race, color, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected categories
• Willingness to develop projects on their own initiative
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive issues and to maintain confidentiality
• Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, leadership, and organizational abilities
• Willingness to travel as necessary within California and to other parts of the country for litigation, speaking events, meetings, and conferences

Qualifications

• Knowledge of California employment law and court and/or administrative procedures
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese or other languages commonly spoken by low-wage workers in California

Benefits

Legal Aid at Work offers competitive salaries, health plans, long-term disability and life insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, and generous paid vacation and holidays. As a unionized organization, Legal Aid at Work believes in the importance of employees organizing to improve their working conditions. This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by ESC Local 20. Salary placement at hire and salary advancement will be in accordance with the negotiated salary scale in the union contract for this position. The current salary scale is $97,344 to $187,063, depending on years out of law school. A language bonus of $75 per pay period will also be applied for qualified candidates. This Program Director position will receive a pro-rated annual premium payment of $15,000.

Pay

Legal Aid at Work offers salaries that are competitive in the public interest law community.

Schedule

Legal Aid at Work offers flexible scheduling options, including the option to work primarily from home, contingent on business needs and professional responsibilities.

Commitment to Inclusive Hiring

Consistent With The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Legal Aid At Work Is Committed To Creating An Accessible And Equitable Application And Interview Process For All Candidates. If You Require A Reasonable Accommodation To The Application Or Interview Process Due To A Disability, Please Email Jobs@legalaidatwork.org. The Policy Regarding Requests For Reasonable Accommodations Applies To All Aspects Of The Hiring Process. Examples Of Reasonable Accommodations May Include American Sign Language interpretation Alternative formats for the interview materials (e.g. large print) Interview questions provided before the interview and/or included in the chat function during video interviews Extended interview time Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

Equal Opportunity Employer

Legal Aid at Work is committed to a diverse, multicultural work environment. LAAW is an equal opportunity and fair chance employer. Our complete EEO and DEI statements as well as further information concerning the organization and its programs can be found at www.legalaidatwork.org. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Legal Aid at Work will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.