Civil Rights Attorney/Fellow

Work Location: Anaheim, CA

Term: Full-Time, Temporary for one year from start date.

Position Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $77,000 - $93,000

Reports to: Civil Rights Managing Attorney

Generous Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees & dependents, 3% employer-matched retirement plan, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days and 12 holidays, current temporary hybrid work schedule. Budget for legal association membership fee, bar license renewal fee, CLE funding support, and malpractice insurance.

About Us: Join the largest American Muslim civil rights organization at the frontlines in protecting the rights of free speech, to freely practice one's faith, to pursue employment opportunities without harassment, and to live as an active and engaged American without reprisal. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. We recognize that our employees are passionate, and talented and are our most valuable resource. With such an important vision to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding, our diverse workforce stands together to demonstrate our values for everyone who chooses to join the efforts.

About the Role: The Los Angeles office of CAIR (CAIR-LA) is seeking a talented attorney with up to three years' or more practice experience or recent law graduate for a one-year Legal Fellowship to support college and university students facing disciplinary and other actions for their First Amendment protected activities. Candidate should also demonstrate commitment to public interest advocacy and to serving the American Muslim community. The Fellow must be a motivated individual who will be expected to identify, strategize, and use creative legal and grassroots advocacy solutions to address systematic issues facing the American Muslim community.

Practice Areas: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties (Religious Freedom), Employment Discrimination, Immigrants' Rights, National Security, Open Government, Police Practices, Prisoners' First Amendment Rights

Responsibilities:

• Provide counseling to students facing disciplinary actions, campus bans, and other sanctions for their involvement in protest activities at the University of California, Irvine and other Southern California college and university campuses
• Provide limited direct representation to students through various stages of disciplinary proceedings, including appeals
• Coordinate and train volunteers, including pro bono attorneys and faculty, to help represent students facing disciplinary proceedings
• Track outcomes in student disciplinary cases and review and compile data for broader advocacy efforts
• Review and understand current Time, Place, Manner restrictions at UC, CSU, and other California campuses
• Conduct trainings and know your rights presentations to students regarding on campus activism
• Intake, review and investigate an array of potential legal claims on behalf of an incredibly diverse community
• Provide assistance on assigned litigation efforts, including preparing pleadings, motions and briefs
• Legal writing and in depth legal research including, but not limited to, drafting complaints, discovery, briefs, letters, and memos; and non-legal writing including drafting community advisories, issuing briefings, and reports
• Communicate with outside parties such as attorneys, school administrators and officials, employers, law enforcement agents, administrative agencies, media contacts, etc.
• Work to educate and empower community members on their rights through community presentations and material distributions
• Participate in outreach activities through community events and coalition meeting, to include travel when needed
• Prepare and assist in CAIR-California reports

• Support the Civil Rights department's advocacy and litigation work
• All CAIR staff are required to assist in general duties such as answering phones, weekly outreach, fundraising, and other office tasks as required

Qualifications:

• Law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited school
• An attorney with up to three years or more experience advocating for, representing, and/or litigating on behalf of clients in areas such as student discipline, employment law, anti-discrimination, or public accommodation in courts and administrative agencies is preferred. Recent law graduates who are barred and who have similar experience will also be considered for the position
• California State Bar admission.
• Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability for meeting deadlines
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
• Comfort working productively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including public speaking experience
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Access to a working vehicle and the ability to drive throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area
• High degree of self-motivation and creativity
• A strong commitment to civil rights and CAIR's mission
• Basic computer proficiency including knowledge of Office 365, OneDrive, and WestLaw Next
• Knowledge of cloud applications such as SharePoint, Office365, and social media applications (preferred)
• Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Spanish, or Somali preferred but not required

TO APPLY: Please submit the following: (1) cover letter and resume, (2) a brief legal writing sample, (3) your law school transcript, and (4) a list of three references. Please attach all documents to your submission.

Equal Employment Opportunity: CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

Salary : $77,000 - $93,000