Senior Staff Attorney
Workers Rights Program
Hybrid Work Schedule, Based in San Francisco, CA
Exempt, Full-Time Position
Applications are due by October 31, 2023
Position Summary
Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus (ALC) is hiring a Senior Staff Attorney to work in ALC’s Workers’ Rights Program to advocate for low-income immigrant workers. Following ALC’s multi-pronged approach, the Senior Staff Attorney’s work will include handling direct service cases on a wide range of workplace issues, including wage and hour, race and national origin discrimination, retaliation, health and safety, and unemployment insurance benefit appeals; providing legal support for worker center partners to promote and support workplace organizing and worker-led campaigns; developing and leading related impact litigation that grows out of our direct service or community work; and assisting with community outreach and education about workplace rights. Staff attorneys also develop or support mission-aligned policy initiatives or other advocacy projects for low-income workers.
The Organization
ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Since 1972, ALC has litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Workers’ Rights, Immigrant Rights, Housing Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, National Security & Civil Rights, and Voting Rights. A growing staff of 50+ provides strong collegial support and opportunities to learn about and collaborate with other program areas. ALC is a founding member of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation with partners in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.
ALC is based in San Francisco, a hub of the Asian American rights movement, progressive politics, and social justice activism. Our location in Chinatown is the first mixed-use, affordable housing co-op in San Francisco, serving as a model for preserving affordable housing in the city and protecting tenants’ rights.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day activities include the following:
- Manage direct service caseload representing low-wage workers and provide high-quality legal representation to clients
- Provide legal support for worker-led and/or worker center-supported campaigns
- Build, work in, and maintain strategic community partnerships with grassroots organizations to collaboratively address immigrant workers’ rights issues
- Identify systemic problems through direct services work and participate in resulting litigation and advocacy efforts to advance pro-worker agenda on local, state, or federal levels
- Develop and litigate impact cases, including class actions, in state and federal court
- Participate in community education and outreach efforts
- Collaborate with Communications staff to develop stories with ALC clients and their communities and execute narrative-shifting strategies
- Supervise community advocates, paralegals, law clerks, and other volunteers on legal cases
- Reports to Workers’ Rights Program Manager
Desired Qualifications
- B.A./B.S. and J.D. degrees. California bar membership required
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of low-income, people of color, immigrant, or worker communities
- Substantive legal experience in labor and employment law
- Minimum of seven (7) years of related legal services or state/federal court litigation experience
- Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases and projects in a timely manner
- Highly motivated self-starter
- Demonstrated leadership and ability to work independently and in collaboration with other attorneys, advocates, and community-based organizations
- Bilingual skills a plus, but not required
Compensation and Benefits
This is a regular, full-time, exempt position. The annual compensation depends on years of relevant experience and ranges from $106,000 to $142,455 for Senior Staff Attorneys. ALC offers an additional $1,000 annual compensation for proficiency in a language other than English and an additional $1,000 annual compensation for graduate degree(s) other than the law degree required for this position.
ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes the following: generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match. This position is included in the collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following by October 31, 2023:
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the position
- Resume
- A writing sample of your work (no more than 5 pages)
- Three professional references
Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.