Associate Managing Attorney

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI)

Los Angeles

 

PAI has been a leader in California disability rights advocacy for over 25 years. We strive to create a barrier free, inclusive society that values diversity and each individual. We seek a strong Associate Managing Attorney in Los Angeles to lead and mentor our excellent, energetic, creative and diverse teams of advocates, lawyers and staff in advancing the human and legal rights of Californians with disabilities.

 

PAI is a non-profit agency with state, federal and private funding, serving persons with all types of disabilities through litigation and innovative advocacy strategies. PAI works to achieve fairness and justice for people with disabilities through quality representation, advocacy, investigations of abuse and neglect, peer/self advocacy services, community partnerships, legislative and regulatory advocacy work, education and outreach. Our legal work includes individual and impact litigation acting as amicus curiae in disability-related cases.

 

The Associate Managing Attorney shares responsibility with other legal and advocacy staff for providing information, technical assistance, outreach and training and representation in administrative and judicial proceedings to clients with disabilities. The Associate Managing Attorney works under the direct supervision of the Managing Attorney and in collaboration with other PAI attorneys and advocates in their legal, advocacy, and outreach efforts.

 

The Associate Managing Attorney provides law reform leadership and mentoring in one or more substantive issue areas and participates in and/or leads impact litigation.  The AMA directly supervises and mentors two to four regional office attorneys or advocacy staff and other offices locations as needed.  The AMA serves as a member of the regional office management team assisting in regional office planning, staff development and day to day office management.

The AMA will also serve as the lead attorney for a special ongoing project that serves children and young adults with disabilities in the Juvenile dependency, delinquency, and special education systems, particularly in the areas of access to appropriate educational, health and regional center services.  The project focuses on children and youth who come from families who are non-English speaking and/or come from underrepresented communities. 

The following qualifications must be met:

 

1.                  J.D. Degree.

2.                  California State Bar membership; or eligible to practice under the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program (admitted to practice in another state and eligible to practice in California for three years under the California State Bar rules for the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program, and required admittance to the California Bar within three years.)

3.                  3a. Four years experience as an attorney in the practice of public interest law or five years experience as an attorney directly representing clients in administrative hearings and litigation.  Judicial clerkships or externships may be counted as up to one year of legal experience.

3b. Three years experience in employee supervision and management, and demonstrated interpersonal skills.

4.                  Ability to conduct research and analyses of pertinent legal authority.

5.                  Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.

6.                  Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations or administrative proceedings, to actively promote legal, policy and legislative developments at state and local government levels, and to develop and conduct trainings.

7.                  Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals with disabilities.

8.                  Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities.

9.                  The ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.

10.              Demonstrated leadership in litigation or public policy advocacy including the ability to head litigation or advocacy teams.

11.              Expertise and ability to provide leadership in one or more substantive areas of importance to people with disabilities.

We value diversity of culture, disability and other life experiences, and are an equal opportunity employer by choice.  PAI endorses and supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990 (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing act (FEHA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees.

 

For more info, call our job-line at (916) 658-2659 or go to our website: www.pai-ca.org. This position is open until filled. Applications must be received by April 4, 2008 to be considered in the current, and potentially final, round of interviews.