Staff Attorney
National Origin, Immigration and Language Rights Program
The National Origin, Immigration, and Language Rights Program of the Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center (LAS–ELC) seeks an attorney with litigation experience to assume significant responsibility in the Program’s impact and enforcement litigation and other advocacy efforts. The mission of the National Origin Program, which is carried out through its nationally-recognized Immigrant Workers’ Rights and Language Rights Projects, is to vindicate and expand the workplace rights of recent immigrants to the United States—particularly those who face exploitation on account of their immigrant status, or who have been unfairly denied equal employment opportunities because of their linguistic characteristics.
The Staff Attorney will be involved in all aspects of the Program’s litigation, working on federal and state court cases from initial fact investigation through complaint drafting, motion practice, discovery, trial, and appellate work. Because of the Program’s focus upon areas where the law is still evolving, the Staff Attorney can expect to have the opportunity to participate in litigation that, if successful, will set beneficial precedent and positively impact the future development of the law. Additionally, the Staff Attorney will manage the Language Rights Project, supervising intake counselors, undertaking outreach to language minority communities, and providing limited representation for Project clients as appropriate. Joining a collegial and professional staff of recognized leaders in public interest law, the Staff Attorney may also draft legislation, amicus briefs, or regulations to positively impact the lives of low-wage immigrant workers. S/he may also assist in litigating cases in other LAS–ELC program areas.
Qualifications include California Bar membership, litigation experience in public interest or plaintiff-side employment practice; knowledge of federal and California employment law principles; and outstanding legal research and writing abilities. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, leadership and organizational ability, and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience working with immigrant communities and a high level of proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred. A cooperative work style and commitment to the mission of LAS–ELC are essential. The LAS–ELC has budgeted this position for an attorney with up to three years of experience post bar.
Originally founded in 1916 as the Legal Aid Society of San Francisco, the LAS–ELC is the oldest legal services organization in the western United States. Today it is a recognized authority on issues affecting the working poor and utilizes direct legal services, education and policy initiatives, technical assistance, and impact litigation to strengthen the civil and employment rights of low-income workers on both a regional and national level.
The LAS–ELC offers a salary that is competitive in the Bay Area public interest law community and is based on years of experience. Benefits include fully paid health plans, long term disability and life insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and a generous vacation policy. The position will remain open until filled. Interested candidates should submit a detailed cover letter with resume, writing sample and three professional references to:
- NOILR Staff Attorney Search Committee
- Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center
- 600 Harrison Street, Suite 120
- San Francisco, CA 94107
- 415-864-8199 (fax)
- Email:
The Legal Aid Society-Employment Law center is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, (including transgender status), weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency, where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law. The LAS–ELC also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that an individual has any of the characteristics of the protected classes of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, marital status, or sexual orientation, and further prohibits discrimination against an individual who is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics. The LAS–ELC will also make reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and employees, unless such accommodation would result in undue hardship. Applicants with disabilities may request accommodations by contacting the Vice President for Administration or his/her designee. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, compensation, training, discipline, and termination.