Directing Attorney, New York, NY

About Disability Rights Advocates

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is a non-profit, disability rights legal center. We advance equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities through high-impact litigation utilizing federal, state, and local disability law. With offices in New York, Chicago, and Berkeley, DRA fights for equal access resulting in dramatic improvements for people with disabilities in all areas of life, including: technology, healthcare, employment, transportation, education, voting, juvenile justice, and housing. With a high success rate for more than 30 years, DRA continues to take on significant and novel cases to achieve a meaningful impact for people with disabilities across the nation.

Full Job Description

Directing Attorney, New York, NY

Reports directly to the Chief Litigation Officer, the Directing Attorney – New York is a key member of DRA’s management team who leads high impact litigation in New York and throughout the country while also mentoring and guiding our talented legal staff.

Position Summary:

The Directing Attorney – New York, ensures efficient and effective management of a significant litigation case load, fosters high engagement and performance in staff assigned to their cases, and contributes to DRA’s overall vision and direction through the management team.

Essential Duties:

The following is a summary of essential duties.

• Case Management
  • Lead litigator on major cases, including arguing major motions and/or supervising preparation by more junior attorneys for argument in major motions, acting as lead trial counsel and generally functioning as the lead lawyer on assigned cases.
  • Provide leadership and guidance to attorneys on assigned cases to ensure successful resolutions and/or results in litigation that benefit DRA’s clients and mission, including providing guidance on litigation planning and case management throughout the lifecycle of each case
  • Ensure effective working relationships with plaintiffs, courts, and co-counsel on assigned cases
  • Ensure administrative and billing details are accurate and up to date on assigned cases
  • Ensure staff assigned to their cases have clear direction and feedback
  • Ensure recovery of attorneys’ fees and that cases are fee generating
  • Other duties as assigned

• Management Team
  • Actively participate in management team to provide input and support to leadership decisions
  • Supervise legal team members (possible direct reports include: litigation assistants, paralegals, summer law clerks, fellows, staff attorneys, and senior staff attorneys)
  • Provide leadership and direction to DRA regarding other mission-critical activities (such as amicus briefs, intakes, and other non-litigation advocacy and related matters)
  • At direction of the President & CEO, provide support as needed for Board of Directors
  • Participate as needed with special events including fundraising and staff engagement events
  • Demonstrate DRA values and mission in all aspects of work
  • Other duties as assigned

• New York Office
  • Provide leadership to New York office staff, in coordination with any other New York managers, including identifying and implementing team and morale building opportunities.
  • In coordination with the CEO and CLO, network with legal and advocacy groups in New York and the Eastern U.S. to ensure community engagement and identification of legal issues.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years’ experience and demonstrated success litigating civil rights cases
• 2+ years case management and experience providing leadership to other attorneys
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• In-depth knowledge of legal principles and practices related to high impact or class action litigation
• Self-directed with strong initiative, efficient time management, follow through, and flexibility around changing priorities and deadlines
• Connection to disability or passion for our mission desirable, but extensive disability law experience not necessary
• An active license in good standing with the New York Bar
• While this position is hybrid (i.e. flexible remote work) routine physical presence in New York City required given the leadership role.

This is a full time, exempt position with a salary range of $165,000 – $210,000.

DRA is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and inclusive culture.

DRA encourages applications from all qualified individuals and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DRA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed for the hiring process, please contact jobs@dralegal.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request.”