Disability Rights Advocates (DRA): Senior Attorney

 Civil Rights Law Firm Seeks Litigator with Seven to Ten Years of Experience

Disability Rights Advocates offers a unique opportunity: valuable experience undertaking high-impact, class action litigation on the one hand and work that is meaningful and that advances civil rights on the other. At DRA, no defendant is too big and no case is avoided because it is untested. DRA offers a wide variety of case work, addressing every aspect of life that impacts people with disabilities: technology, healthcare, transportation, voting, juvenile justice and emergency preparedness planning to name a few. We represent people with all kinds of disabilities from mobility and sensory to learning and psychiatric. With offices in California and New York, Disability Rights Advocates is one of a few nonprofit disability rights legal centers in the nation that uses only litigation to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities. Founded in 1993, DRA has taken on and won hundreds of cases—achieving dramatic improvements for people with disabilities. DRA is seeking a litigator with seven to ten years of experience who shares our vision of creating a society that strives towards justice and fairness for all. For more information on DRA’s mission and impact visit dralegal.org

Qualifications and Requirements

DRA is looking for a dynamic and motivated attorney with seven to ten years of litigation experience and outstanding academic and professional credentials to join our Berkeley, California office.  This is a position with potential to grow into a leadership role at an exciting major non-profit law firm that has made, and will continue to make, a huge difference in the lives of persons with disabilities across the country.  It is an opportunity to join one of the foremost civil rights non-profit legal centers, and to work with award winning litigators on cutting edge civil rights cases nationwide.  Our attorneys enjoy coming into work every day knowing that they are making positive changes in the world.

Candidates need not have extensive disability law experience, though some connection to disability is preferred.  The person right for this role is someone who has substantial experience working on systemic impact litigation and wants to make a long term commitment to a civil rights career, and someone interested in developing and litigating complex class action cases, with a dynamic personality and the ability to work with members of the disability community.

Ideal candidates should have seven to ten years of the following litigation experience: appearing in court, taking and defending depositions, developing and planning class action cases, drafting and revising briefs, negotiating settlements and overseeing implementation of settlement agreements or consent decrees.  Preference will be given to candidates who have class action experience.  Experience assisting with fundraising, PR and communications work is also desired.  Applicants must be active members of the California Bar, in good standing, to be considered.

The opportunity to work on class action impact litigation for disability rights is truly meaningful, as our cases make an immeasurable difference in the lives of persons with disabilities throughout the nation. Please visit our website, www.dralegal.org, to learn more about our work and victories.

Compensation

 DRA offers competitive salaries, commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive package of excellent employee benefits.

Application Process

Disability Rights Advocates is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.  To apply, please send the following to applications@dralegal.org:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three references
• A list of the major cases you have worked on and a description of your role
• A writing sample (no more than 3-5 pages)

Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis.