Supervising Attorney

The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law seeks an experienced and innovative attorney with a history of leading successful impact litigation and proven zeal for supervision and mentorship. The supervising attorney will work closely with the legal director and the Center’s  team to develop legal advocacy strategies, lead new impact and class action litigation, and manage and mentor existing staff.

The salary range for this remote-friendly position is $135,000-150,000, and starting salary will be determined commensurate with experience. We offer a robust benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance policies, paid family leave, an employer-matched 401(k), short-term disability insurance, and generous vacation and sick benefits. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits after 30 days of employment.  

Who We Are

The Center is a California State Bar-funded legal support center that provides training and technical support to direct legal service providers, addresses systemic injustice identified by those providers, and advances and protects the civil, constitutional, and human rights of immigrants, refugees, children, and marginalized communities. The Center has a legacy of impact litigation that has protected hundreds of thousands of immigrants, children, and detained people. Among our landmark cases and victories are Munoz v. Bell, Plyler v. Doe, Orantes-Hernandez v. Smith,  Flores v. Reno, League of United Latin American Citizens v. Wilson, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, et al., v. Anti-Defamation League of the B'Nai B'rith, et al., Reno v. Catholic Social Services, LULAC v. Arizona, Flores v. Sessions,  Lucas R. v. Azar, Flores v. Garland, and a recent Motion to Enforce in Flores protecting children at the border. The Center serves as class counsel overseeing nationwide settlements in Flores and Lucas and, together with our co-counsel, is responsible for monitoring conditions in all facilities and locations where DHS or ORR detain youth.

Responsibilities

The supervising attorney will play a central role in identifying needs in the community and developing the Center’s legal strategy. The supervising attorney helps supervise staff attorneys and reports directly to the legal director

• Managing day-to-day litigation of complex civil cases, including working with the other attorney staff to develop litigation strategy, drafting briefs, conducting discovery, communicating with clients and opposing counsel, presenting oral argument, and taking and defending depositions;

• Working closely with external legal service providers to identify patterns of injustice, particularly in the area of immigration, and representing them in litigation addressing these patterns;

• Working with the Center’s advocacy team to inform media engagement, community organizing, and other advocacy efforts focused on bringing more justice to the immigrants rights space; 

• Meeting with and providing support to coalition partners and community groups; and,

• Supervising attorneys and legal support staff in litigation, drafting practice advisories, providing technical support, and leading webinars and in-person trainings for direct legal service providers.

Necessary Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school

• Licensed to practice law in California or the ability to obtain CA Bar membership promptly upon hire 

Desired Qualities and Experience

• 5 to 10 years litigation experience, preferably in federal courts, including case development, discovery, and oral argument;

• Experience in class action and/or impact litigation;

• Experience in immigration law through impact litigation or direct services;

• Experience supervising and mentoring legal staff;

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and defending the constitutional, human and civil rights of people in marginalized communities, including immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, women, racial minorities, LGBTQ persons, children, or indigenous populations;

• Personal or lived experienced with immigration or close family members or loved ones with direct experience preferred; 

• Commitment to building a healthy and collaborative work environment from the ground floor;

• Ability and desire to build and invest in relationships with partner organizations and community members.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or other language spoken by a substantial number of non-citizens in the United States; and,

• Residence in or willingness to relocate to Southern California. 

What We Offer

The salary for this position is $135-150,000. We offer a robust benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance policies, paid family leave, an employer-matched 401(k), short-term disability insurance, and generous vacation and sick benefits. Employees are eligible for benefits after 30 days of employment for all employees working an average of 30 hours per week or more.

We are a small team, dedicated to the mission of the organization, with a collaborative and flexible, remote-friendly work environment. We value quality and consistency of work over formalities. 

How to Apply

To apply, please email daisy@centerforhumanrights.org a copy of your resume; a selected list of cases with citations on which you’ve been counsel, including any class action cases, if any; a cover letter, including a statement about your interest in CHRCL and what you are looking for or hope to accomplish in this role; and three references.

Any questions regarding the position should be sent to Executive Director Sergio Perez at admin@centerforhumanrights.org.