Supervising Attorney

About the role

The Supervising Attorney works collaboratively with the ACE Supervision Team and other DRC staff. This position reports to the Managing Attorney and may oversee the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.

Responsibilities

• Supervise attorneys and advocates, including workload management, training, mentoring, and monitoring staff.
• Lead a work team with emphasis on assisting the team in developing and implementing strategies to accomplish team goals.
• Ensure that all work complies with grant requirements and meets procedural and quality standards, including proper handling of personally identifiable information.
• Conduct at least weekly teleconferences with attorneys and advocates regarding work.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints concerning services.
• Train attorneys, advocates, clients and others in substantive disability rights law.
• Support – 20% Collaborate with ACE Supervision Team to lead and/or assist in ACE projects and work, including leading hiring teams.
• Cook with colleagues to maximize resources and promote quality client services.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of casework and outreach on a regular periodic basis.
• Compile reports by supervisees for submission to LAU Director in support of LAU’s grant reporting obligations.
• Community-based advocacy – 10% Perform outreach and support and monitor supervisee outreach efforts to traditionally underserved communities.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) or equivalent, and membership in the California State Bar.
• 7 years of experience practicing law; or internal candidates who have worked at DRC for three continuous years and have 6 years of experience practicing law.
• Demonstrated commitment – through lived experience and/or employment history – to working with people with disabilities and low-income clients and incorporating race equity and community lawyering principles into their work.
• 2 years of experience successfully leading, developing, mentoring, or supervising law clerks, attorneys, or advocates.
• Expertise in one or more substantive areas of law related to the position
• 2 years of successfully leading multiple advocacy projects, such as intake/outreach projects, administrative proceedings, writs, or single client lawsuits.

Desirable Qualifications

• Able to communicate fluently in American Sign Language or other non-English language.
• Experience in client representation particularly in public interest and civil rights law.
• Experience with advocacy for D/deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
• Experience with pro per legal clinics.
• Project management and supervision experience.
• Experience in the disability rights movement and/or extensive contacts in the disability community.
• Experience with and/or extensive contacts in ethnic or language distinct communities.
• Familiarity and/or extensive contacts with one or more of the following: Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities.

Work Conditions

• Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, training, and community events.