Staff Attorney 1

Description

People with disabilities, people of color, people in all protected classes, and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people who have disabilities.... JOIN US!

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)

At Disability Rights California (DRC), we are committed to creating an equitable, accessible, and inclusive experience for all applicants. Below, we’ve outlined important details to ensure you feel fully supported throughout the hiring process.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• •American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• •Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g., large print, Braille, digital files)
• •Interview questions are provided prior to the interview
• •Extended interview time
• •A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• •Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g., pinning participants,)
• •Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials, please e-mail: [email protected] . Please note: resume, cover letter and writing sample are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

Exempt; Regular; Full-time

SALARY RANGE:

$67,477.41 - $98,816.64 annually (Band 9)

As part of our commitment to internal equity, salary offers are determined through a structured analysis that considers each candidate’s relevant education and years of substantially similar experience for the position. We review the candidate’s resume to assess relevant experience in relation to current employees in comparable roles. This process ensures our compensation decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with organizational equity standards.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS

• •8% Match – 401K
• •Health benefits (HMO options)
• •Additional Benefits: dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Health Reimbursement Accounts for some HMO Plans. Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Teladoc
• •We offer ample vacation, Sick / Self Care time and holidays (including the last week in December)
• •We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.

INTERNAL CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY

• •Regular employees
• •Meet the minimum requirements of the position for which they are applying
• •Employed for more than 6 months
• •In good standing

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Open until filled. Applications should be received by August 28, 2026, to be considered for the first round of interviews. Resume, cover letter and writing sample are reviewed and required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

WHO WE ARE

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

Equal Access and Housing Practice Group

The Equal Access and Housing Practice Group is a diverse, statewide team of passionate attorneys and advocates developing and implementing impactful strategies – short-term direct services, rights education, litigation, policy advocacy, and community support to end discrimination against people with disabilities and increase access.

Our current priorities include:

• •challenging discrimination in public and private programs
• •confronting the criminalization of people experiencing homelessness
• •protecting and increasing affordable, accessible housing
• •addressing the intersectional needs of people with disabilities

We are committed to progressive social change for diverse people with disabilities and strive to build a culture of cooperation and mutual support.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Equal Access and Housing Practice Group seeks an attorney who will lead and/or work collaboratively on various advocacy initiatives to end discrimination against people with disabilities and increase access. The Staff Attorney 1 will handle client cases and advocacy projects, from intake to case conclusion. The work will range from providing legal information and/or advice which will enable clients to self-advocate, to collaborating on individual client litigation, impact litigation, writs, administrative practice, and policy advocacy. The goal of our team’s work is to improve housing stability and access to public and private programs for people with disabilities while meeting federal and state grant requirements.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job responsibilities.

The Staff Attorney 1 works under the direct supervision of the Associate Managing Attorney and in collaboration with other Disability Rights California attorneys, advocates, and social workers in our legal, advocacy, and outreach efforts.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations. The Staff Attorney 1’s core responsibilities will be to:

• •Develop and/or participate in litigation—including class action lawsuits, complex litigation, and/or appeals—that is responsive to the needs of the communities that DRC serve.
• •Represent individual clients in negotiations, mediations, administrative proceedings, and/or judicial proceedings.
• •Identify and participate in key internal and external stakeholder workgroups and/or committees that align with EAH’s goals and priorities. This will include engaging with other legal services agencies and/or community-based organizations to identify and address emerging or recurring systemic issues impacting DRC’s clients.
• •Expand the delivery of DRC’s services to underserved populations through strategic community outreach activities, including workshops and know-your-rights trainings.
• •Prepare and/or coordinate training materials, publications, reports, or special projects, or make presentations about legal work as necessary.
• •Participate in other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

(Applicants MUST meet EACH of the minimum qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

• •Juris Doctor degree (JD) and admitted to the California State Bar
• •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.
• •Experience in one or more substantive areas of law of affecting the rights of and services for people with disabilities (such as Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, the Disabled Persons Act, CA Gov. Code Section 11135, etc.).
• •Experience in one or more of the following: litigation, administrative practice, working on complex legal matters, or community organizing.
• •Demonstrated ability to successfully lead multiple advocacy projects such as intake/outreach projects, administrative proceedings, writs, or single client lawsuits.
• •A strong sense of professional responsibility and ethics.
• •An a