Supervising Attorney

Disability Rights Advocates seeks a experienced litigator and excellent manager, with a passion for disability rights to join our dynamic national leadership team. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, Litigation, the Supervising Attorney 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. 

About DRA

Disability Rights Advocates is a rapidly evolving, national non-profit legal center with an experienced, visionary leadership team and a high-impact mission: to advance the rights, inclusion, and equity of people with disabilities through litigation, education, and advocacy. DRA fights for equal access and dramatic improvements for people with disabilities in all areas of life, including: technology, health care, employment, transportation, education, voting, juvenile justice, and housing. With a high success rate for nearly 30 years and more than 500 cases, DRA continues to take on significant and novel cases to achieve a meaningful impact for people with disabilities across the nation.  

Join DRA’s team to ensure that all people with disabilities are valued, have access to opportunity, and can live with dignity. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) play an important role at DRA.  This is reflected in our strategic plan and our DEI statement on www.dralegal.org.

Position Summary

The Supervising Attorney 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
    • 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
    • Other duties as assigned
  • Management Team
    • Actively participate in management team to provide input and support to leadership decisions 
    • Provide leadership and direction to DRA regarding amicus briefs and other non-litigation advocacy
    • At direction of the 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

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

Compensation

DRA offers a competitive salary of $160,000-$175,000 based on experience.  Comprehensive benefits including top tier medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% paid employee premiums, 401(k) with company contribution, generous holiday and paid time off benefits, and additional health and commuter benefits.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all DRA employees have been temporarily working remotely.  When our offices reopen, we will provide a remote-friendly workplace with flexibility to partially work from home. The Supervising Attorney, New York will be based in the organization’s mid-town Manhattan New York office.

How to Apply

Please send the following to jobs@dralegal.org with “Supervising Attorney” as the subject:

  1. Cover letter (including how you learned about this job opening)
  2. Resume
  3. Three professional references (at least two direct supervisors)
  4. A list of the major cases you have worked on and a description of your role
  5. A writing sample

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, please contact jobs@dralegal.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request.”