Jobs

2010-2011 Ruth Chance Law Fellow

ERA’s Ruth Chance Law Fellow is an entry level position for a recent J.D. law school graduate. As a member of the legal services team at ERA, the Ruth Chance Law Fellow serves as a Staff Attorney and oversees the Advice and Counseling Program, assists other attorneys with litigation and special projects, and participates in public education efforts.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate Advice & Counseling program, including orienting and coordinating ERA (student) law clerks.  Work with law students and attorneys in providing information, advice and representation to women who have been discriminated against on the basis of sex and/or race in employment and/or educational opportunities.  
• Participate in public hearings and conferences, press relations, writing articles for ERA publications.
• Assist Staff Attorneys with ongoing litigation and special projects. Tasks include, but are not limited to: interviewing clients and potential witnesses; drafting and responding to discovery requests; researching and drafting briefs, motions and supporting exhibits; preparing for or participating in depositions; and organizing files and documents.
• Oversee, coordinate and lead “Know Your Rights” training sessions and other public workshops or presentations.
• Oversee and coordinate substantive updates of “Know Your Rights” brochure series, “Know Your Rights” presentation training materials, law student orientation materials, and Advice and Counseling resource materials.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from a U.S. law school awarded in 2009 or 2010
• Licensed to practice law in California or candidate for July 2010 Bar exam.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to women's rights and legal issues affecting women.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to civil rights and legal issues affecting people of color and other disadvantaged populations.
• Dedicated team player with a commitment to collaboration and the highest level of client service.
• Ability to problem-solve, exercise sound judgment, work independently and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, board members, volunteers, clients, outside counsel, court personnel, organization donors and guests.
• Demonstrated commitment to and involvement with community concerns.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated skill in legal research, analysis and writing.
• Ability to complete assignments and responsibilities accurately and in a timely manner, often with strict and/or conflicting deadlines.
• Proficiency in computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite and Westlaw or other online research applications.
• Bilingual (English + Spanish, Cantonese or Vietnamese) preferred.

The Ruth Chance Law Fellow is a one or two year (renewable by mutual agreement) position beginning August 2010. This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary of 45,000 and excellent benefits, including three weeks paid vacation.

To Apply

Send cover letter, resume, legal writing sample and three references (names and current contact information) to:

Ruth Chance Law Fellow Application
Equal Rights Advocates
1663 Mission Street, Suite 250 
San Francisco, CA 94103

These materials may be e-mailed to jobapplicants@equalrights.org  with “Ruth Chance” in the subject line, or faxed to (415) 621-6744.

Please, no phone calls.

Deadline to apply: October 26, 2009

Interviews will be conducted in November.

Staff Attorney

Title: Staff Attorney
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: law clerks, law fellows
Classification: Full-time, exempt

Position Summary:  ERA’s mission is to protect and secure equal rights and economic opportunities for women and girls through litigation and advocacy.  This staff attorney will be one of the attorneys responsible for developing and handling all aspects of civil litigation consistent with the mission of ERA.  This attorney will serve as a resource on substantive employment discrimination law and other areas of gender discrimination law to ERA law clerks and fellows.

Essential Functions 

• Supervise and train law fellows and law clerks staffing ERA’s Advice and Counseling Line.
• Serve as lead and co-counsel in all phases of state and federal court litigation from initial case development through trial and appeal, including initiating and managing litigation. 
• Conduct outreach to develop potential litigation consistent with ERA’s mission, particularly in target communities and industries (e.g., low-income communities of color, immigrant communities, traditionally male-dominated industries, and non-union industries).
• Devise investigation plans and investigate potential legal claims; prepare memoranda recommending potential litigation, including anticipated budget and legal theories, for approval by ERA Litigation Committee.
• Participate as necessary in meetings with ERA Board of Directors and subcommittees.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, briefs and administrative complaints.
• In consultation with co-counsel inside and outside of ERA, devise and execute strategic plans in complex litigation.
• Develop and present community education programs on gender discrimination issues; respond to media inquiries.
• Draft or assist in drafting policy advocacy documents such as public comments and letters.   
• Research and/or draft amicus briefs. 
• Assist ERA’s development department in preparing fundraising proposals and reports related to the attorney’s substantive work areas.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree.
• Admitted to practice in California state and federal courts.           
• Minimum 5+ years litigation experience.
• Class action litigation experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in:

  developing litigation.
  drafting complaints, motions for summary judgment, etc.
  responding to discovery and independently taking and defending depositions.
  mediation and settlement discussions.

• Litigation experience in state and federal employment discrimination; demonstrated knowledge of federal and state employment and anti-discrimination laws.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of co-workers, law clerks, volunteers, clients, and communities targeted by ERA’s outreach and litigation development efforts. 
• Community outreach and education experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Outlook, Word)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Interest in and dedication to the achievement of full civil rights for women and girls.
• Commitment and ability to work with low-income communities as well as immigrant women or women of color.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise, work collaboratively with, and provide guidance to law fellows and law clerks.
• Commitment to building organizational capacity and reach. 
• Knowledge and awareness of local, regional, and national issues affecting women and girls.
• Willingness and ability to travel when required.
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as ability to work independently and produce high-quality work with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate tasks in order to meet deadlines while remaining flexible to task changes.
• Fluency in Spanish or Asian/South Asian language highly desirable.

ERA provides generous benefits including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance; three weeks vacation the first year of employment, increasing to four weeks after one year, and thirteen paid holidays.

All inquiries will be considered confidential.

Application Deadline: The position will remain open until filled. 

Please submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements by mail or e-mail to:

Hiring Coordinator
Equal Rights Advocates
1663 Mission Street, Suite 250
San Francisco, CA 94103

jobapplicants@equalrights.org

Equal Rights Advocates is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and actively recruits women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI individuals.

Law Clerk Internships

Law Clerks have the unique opportunity to work in an exciting and cutting-edge non-profit women’s rights law firm. ERA has been fighting for women’s equality through litigation and advocacy for over 35 years.  Under the supervision of ERA attorneys, Law Clerks staff our Advice and Counseling line. They interview callers and provide legal advice regarding sex discrimination, sexual harassment, title IX enforcement, family/medical leave, and other employment issues.  Law Clerks also assist with impact litigation and legislation through research and writing assignments; attending court hearings, depositions, and internal litigation strategy sessions; and working with ERA lawyers on legislative advocacy.  Law clerks may also have the opportunity to present educational workshops to community groups regarding sex discrimination and women’s rights.

ERA requires a commitment of 16-20 hours during the school year and 10 to 11 weeks full time in the summer, and accepts 2L and 3L students only. Our internships are unpaid.

Qualifications       

• Excellent writing & research skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s issues, public interest law and racial justice;
• Coursework in Employment Discrimination, Constitutional Law, Evidence, Critical Race Theory, Feminist Jurisprudence, Immigration Law, Public Interest Law;
• Experience working on ERA’s focus areas, including sexual harassment, employment issues, affirmative action, welfare, family/work, immigration, and economic self-sufficiency; and,
• Bilingual ability in Spanish (highly desirable), Cantonese, or Mandarin (a plus).

To apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, three references, and a short writing sample (5-7 pages) to lawclerkapplicants@equalrights.org.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.