People with disabilities, people of color, people in all protected classes, and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people who have disabilities.... JOIN US! 

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)

At Disability Rights California (DRC), we are committed to creating an equitable, accessible, and inclusive experience for all applicants. Below, we’ve outlined important details to ensure you feel fully supported throughout the hiring process.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g., large print, Braille, digital files)
• Interview questions are provided prior to the interview
• Extended interview time
• A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g., pinning participants,)
• Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials, please e-mail: talent@disabilityrightsca.org . Please note: resume and cover letter are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

LOCATION:

Remote (must live in California) 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

Exempt; Regular; Full-time (37.5 hrs)

SALARY RANGE: 

Associate Managing Attorney $ 98,382.38 -- $144,062.10 

Senior Attorney $ 89,434.80 -- $130,958.10 

As part of our commitment to internal equity, salary offers are determined through a structured analysis that considers each candidate’s relevant education and years of substantially similar experience for the position. We review the candidate’s resume to assess relevant experience in relation to current employees in comparable roles. This process ensures our compensation decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with organizational equity standards.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS

• 8% Match – 401K
• Health benefits (HMO options) 
• Additional Benefits: dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Health Reimbursement Accounts for some HMO Plans. Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Teladoc 
• We offer ample vacation, Sick / Self Care time and holidays (including the last week in December) 
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.  

INTERNAL CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY

• Regular employees 
• Meet the minimum requirements of the position for which they are applying  
• Employed for more than 6 months
• In good standing 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Open until filled. Applications should be received by December 3, 2026 to be considered for the first round of interviews. Resume and cover letter are reviewed and required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

WHO WE ARE

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE GROUP (MHPG)
Our mission is to advocate for the rights of individuals with mental health disabilities within locked facilities, to improve access to community-based alternatives to institutions and homelessness, and to address the intersectional needs of people with mental health disabilities, especially those from traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations. 

Our vision is a world that values the lives, choices, power, and rights of people with mental health disabilities. 

Our advocacy focuses on enforcement and expansion of the rights of people with mental health disabilities through a variety of tactics including impact litigation, individual representation, movement lawyering, policy advocacy, coalition building, educational outreach, and investment in self-advocacy. 

We value and strive to amplify the voices of people with lived experience who are directly impacted by the systems we seek to improve.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Associate Managing Attorney works collaboratively with the Managing Attorney to create the vision and culture for the MHPG, including by supervising and mentoring staff, and supporting the implementation of relevant agency and MHPG practices. The Associate Managing Attorney also plays a leading role in the MHPG’s advocacy projects to enforce and expand the rights of people with mental health disabilities, including by leading or co-leading investigations, litigation, movement lawyering projects, and systemic policy advocacy. The Associate Managing Attorney works under the direct supervision of the MHPG Managing Attorney.

The Senior Attorney position plays a leading role in the MHPG’s advocacy projects to enforce and expand the rights of people with mental health disabilities, including by leading or co-leading investigations, litigation, movement lawyering projects, and systemic policy advocacy. The Senior Attorney works under the direct supervision of the MHPG Managing Attorney.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. Essential functions include: 

Associate Managing Attorney 

· Foster a cohesive, supportive team environment by collaborating with the Managing Attorney on vision setting, strategic planning, and team management. 

· Directly and promptly manage disputes or conflicts.

· Support the creation and implementation of relevant MHPG practices, including helping staff adhere to priority areas for advocacy, as well as compliance agency and grant requirements, policies, and procedures.

· Serve as a representative of the MHPG to others, including the Board of Directors, funders, government agencies, external coalitions and partners.

· Serving as a liaison to other practice groups and units within DRC to ensure collaboration and cross-team advocacy.

· Engage in substantive advocacy.

· Strengthen and nurture key relationships with community-based groups.

· Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Attorney.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise and mentor multiple attorneys, law clerks, or staff in a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive manner.  

Senior Attorney 

· Develop, lead, and/or participate in systemic litigation that is responsive to the needs of individuals with mental health disabilities.

· Represent individual clients in negotiations, mediations, and/or judicial and administrative proceedings. 

· Develop and sustain relationships with organizations led by people with disabilities and key stakeholders within the disability community.

· Engage in community-based advocacy and coalition building to uplift community-defined solutions.

· Prepare or coordinate training materials, publications, reports, or special projects, or make presentations about legal work as necessary.

· Provide technical assistance and substantive training to other Disability Rights California staff in areas of expertise, and participate in the identification and development of substantive and skills-based training for staff, with a primary focus on staff in the regional office.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Senior Attorneys will be responsible for leading, mentoring, development, and training of the less experienced attorneys and advocates in a positive and collaborative manner.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

(Applicants MUST meet EACH of the minimum qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

Associate Managing Attorney  

Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) or equivalent and membership in the California State Bar Plus:

· 9 years of experience as an attorney in the practice of public interest law or internal candidates who have worked at DRC for two continuous years and have 8 years of experience practicing law.

· Demonstrated commitment – through lived experience and/or employment history – to working with people with disabilities and low-income clients, and incorporating race equity and community lawyering principles into their work.

· 5 years of experience successfully supervising or leading attorneys or advocates.

· Demonstrated results from mentorship, leadership, and supervision of multiple attorneys or advocates.

· Expertise in one or more substantive areas of law related to the practice group (such as race equity, mental health, youth, homelessness, the criminal legal system, substance use, and/or concerns of LGBTQIA2S+ community members with disabilities).

· 5 years of exemplary results in advocacy projects such as intake/outreach projects, administrative proceedings, writs, eviction defense, or single client / single defendant lawsuits.

· Proven ability to supervise multiple attorneys or advocates while also handling administrative responsibilities.

· 2 years of experience in administration, such as grant management, project management, collaboration with other nonprofits, fundraising, or handling human resources issues.

· In addition to the above knowledge and abilities, Attorneys at this level are recognized as having an exceptional level of expertise that distinguishes them in a special field of knowledge. Work at this level involves innovative theories, practices of law, specialization in an area of law, and requires contact with the legislature, high level governor appointees, constitutional officers, or their designee, and/or the general public.

Senior Attorney  

Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) or equivalent and membership in the California State Bar Plus:

· 7 years of experience as an attorney in the practice of public interest law or internal candidates who have worked at DRC for two continuous years and have 6 years of experience practicing law.

· Demonstrated commitment – through lived experience and/or public interest employment history – to working with people with disabilities and low-income clients, and incorporating race-equity and community/movement lawyering principles into their work.

· Expertise in one or more substantive areas of law related to the practice group (such as Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 1983, Equal Protection, Due Process, Eight Amendment, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, state civil rights statutes, etc.).

· 2 years of successfully leading multiple and complex advocacy projects such as outreach projects, administrative proceedings, federal and/or state civil litigation, mandamus writs, and/or systemic policy advocacy.

· 4 years of successful results in advocacy projects such as outreach projects, administrative proceedings, federal and/or state civil litigation, mandamus writs, and/or systemic policy advocacy.

· Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with other lawyers and support staff, clients, and community members, and to develop and implement impact strategies.

· The ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

(Applicants DO NOT have to meet any of the Desirable Qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

· Litigation or advocacy experience in institutional settings (jails, juvenile halls, immigration detention facilities, psychiatric facilities) for adults or young people with mental health disabilities and/or in community settings through Olmstead and ADA matters.

· Litigation experience in federal district court and/or state court.

· Experience in the disability rights or justice movement.

· Experience in client representation, policy, movement lawyering, coalitions, and/or impact litigation, particularly in public interest law. 

· Ability to maintain positive relationships with diverse groups of people and maintain/enhance team morale.

· A strong sense of professional responsibility and ethics.

BILINGUAL ABILITY:

No additional language is required, though ability to communicate fluently in Spanish, American Sign Language, or other language is a plus.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES

Must be a member of the California State Bar or will become a member within one year.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as out-of-town meetings, client visits, hearings, facility inspections, education, training, or outreach activities up to 25% of the time.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Duties will be performed in an office environment and remotely. Duties require regular communications over online platforms. Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, training, and community events.

• Duties frequently require lifting and/or moving weights up to 10 pounds.
• Duties require effective and regular communication via online platforms. E-mail, and the ability to travel to meetings and events.