Director of litigation

Overview  

The Director of Litigation acts as counsel in Impact Fund litigation and amicus activities.  They lead the legal team to litigate the Impact Fund’s docket of social justice impact litigation, coordinate and author amicus briefs, and provide technical assistance to the larger legal community.  They also contribute their expertise to the Impact Fund’s training programs.  Director of Litigation is a full-time (80% minimum) and exempt position that reports to the Executive Director. 

 

Responsibilities 

The Director of Litigation leads the Impact Fund’s litigation, amicus, and advocacy work, as well as its team of litigators.  Specific duties include: 

  • Representing clients in all stages of Impact Fund litigation, focusing on enforcement of antidiscrimination laws, access to public benefits, and other civil rights 

  • Leading litigation strategy, drafting briefs and legal memos, conducting meet and confer conferences and oral argument, and communicating with clients   

  • Hiring, training, and supervising legal staff, including staff attorneys, Law Fellow, and paralegal 

  • Coordinating amicus activities, drafting amicus briefs, reviewing and analyzing amicus invitations  

  • Maintaining litigation and amicus case pipeline  

  • Providing technical assistance and non-legal advocacy for legal services programs, including drafting comment letters, preparing fact sheets and other advocacy materials, and reviewing draft rules and legislation 

  • Assisting with the training program’s content and facilitation 

  • Speaking on panels and at conferences on topics relevant to the Impact Fund’s work and mission  

  • Assisting with development and grant funding needs 

  • Contributing to the annual report, newsletters, website, Practitioner Blog, Class Action Forum attorney listserve, and other communications materials 

  • Cultivating relationships with community partners 

Requirements  

  • Must have experience leading teams in class action litigation  

  • Must have demonstrated commitment to civil rights and social justice  

  • Excellent research and writing skills   

  • Excellent teamwork, leadership, and management skills  

  • Excellent civil litigation skills, including law and motion, discovery, and oral argument   

  • Skilled use of Microsoft Office programs, Westlaw, ECF, and PACER  

  • Member in Good Standing of California State Bar or other State Bar (must sit for California Bar) 

  • Located within commuting distance from the Impact Fund office in Berkeley, California 

  • Must be fully vaccinated and boosted -- reasonable accommodations will be considered based on disability or sincerely held religious belief 

 

What We Offer   

  • Collaborative and supportive work environment 

  • Reasonable work expectations 

  • Hybrid work schedule that allows for both remote and in-person work environments 

  • Physical office located in Downtown Berkeley immediately adjacent to BART 

  • Benefits include health, vision, dental, and life insurance; Commuter Checks; and SEP IRA contributions 

  • 12 days of paid vacation per year (increases after first year), 10 days of paid sick leave per year, and at least 12 paid holidays per year   

  • Reduced time schedule (at least 80%) possible  

  • Full-time salary ranging from $125,000 to $140,000, based on experience 

 

Interested? 

Contact Lindsay Nako, Director of Litigation and Training, at lnako@impactfund.org or (510) 845-3473 ext. 307 for more information. 

The Impact Fund is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.  If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email Anna Chau at achau@impactfund.org.