Director of Litigation
The Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) seeks a Director of Litigation that will be responsible for litigation that has a direct impact on our client community. The person filling this position will be expected to handle a caseload which primarily includes major litigation.
The Director of Litigation position is open at a critical moment in LASOC’s efforts to ensure that cities comply with SB2 zoning (homeless shelters) requirements and to challenge exclusionary land use practices so that Orange County and its cities adopt policies and programs to facilitate the development of emergency shelters and affordable housing and preserve existing affordable housing units. LASOC intends to hire a Director of Litigation to re-establish its litigation strength and advocacy depth for housing and community redevelopment in order to organize and oversee litigation against jurisdictions to assure that cities are in compliance with state, federal and housing element laws.
In addition to supervising three Directing Attorneys, advising and working with experienced attorneys on complex litigation and developing litigation skills with staff attorneys, the Director of Litigation has major management responsibilities within the firm and works closely with other organizations and co-counsels with LASOC attorneys, other private attorneys and legal support centers in providing legal assistance to our client communities.
The salary range for this position is $83,624 to $120,039 DOE.
More information on LASOC
Since 1958, LASOC has offered a diversified approach to the delivery of legal services. The mission of LASOC is to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals and seniors and to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, innovative self-help, in-depth legal representation, economic development, and community education.
LASOC’s advocates on behalf of vulnerable individuals and communities both in Orange County and the southeast area of Los Angeles County, where it is known as Community Legal Services (CLS). LASOC currently maintains offices in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Compton and Norwalk. Generally, clients are eligible for LASOC’s services if the client’s income is at or below 125% to 200% of the federal poverty threshold or if they are over age 60. Based on the 2014 estimated poverty population approximately 601,805 persons in LASOC’s service area have incomes that fall below 125% of the poverty level.
Interested in hearing more about the position or learning more about the area?
Please contact Mary Lou Czerner, Director of Finance and Operations at 714-571-5231 or mczerner@legal-aid.com
A successful applicant must be a member of the California Bar, have at least seven years of litigation and trial experience, and possess excellent legal, administrative, and communications skills. The Director of Litigation must have a strong commitment to securing justice for disadvantaged individuals and communities and working in a collaborative environment. Experience in legal services, federal litigation, and working with community groups highly preferred.
To Apply:
To apply for this position, send a cover letter and resume (electronically in PDF or Microsoft Word format) kharris@legal-aid.com. Attention: Director of Litigation.
LASOC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and places a high value on diversity in its workplace, including diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals and we encourage applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. The position is housed in LASOC’s main office in Santa Ana, California.