Join to apply for the Legal Director role at National Legal Aid & Defender Association 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the Legal Director role at National Legal Aid & Defender Association Position Description

Work Location: Based in Anaheim, CA or Santa Clara, CA. Exemplary candidates in Sacramento and San Diego may be considered. Hybrid work schedule available. Will require occasional travel throughout CA. Position Description

Work Location: Based in Anaheim, CA or Santa Clara, CA. Exemplary candidates in Sacramento and San Diego may be considered. Hybrid work schedule available. Will require occasional travel throughout CA.

Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required

Position Status: Exempt

Pay Range

Anaheim: $135,000 - $170,000

Santa Clara: $150,000 - $185,000

Reports to: CAIR-SFBA Executive Director

Generous Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees and dependents, 3% employer-matched retirement plan, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 12 holidays.

Professional Support: We aim to support our attorneys with coverage of professional requirements, including State Bar membership fees, legal association membership fees, malpractice insurance, and CLE. We believe in investing in our team's ongoing development and compliance so you can focus on excellent client service and professional growth.

About Us: Join the largest American Muslim civil rights organization, where we are on the frontlines defending the rights to free speech, freedom of religion, fair employment, and full participation in American life without fear of reprisal.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization. Our passionate and talented team members are our greatest strength. At CAIR-CA, you'll be part of a diverse, mission-driven workforce committed to justice, equity, and building a better future for all.

If you're looking for meaningful work, a supportive community, and a place where your legal skills and management experience can help create real change, we invite you to apply and join us in this critical work and at this unprecedented time.

About the Role: CAIR-CA is seeking an experienced attorney and manager to fill the Legal Director position. The Legal Director will be instrumental in providing strategic vision, expertise, and leadership for the organization's civil rights and immigrants' rights

The Legal Director will collaborate with Executive Directors and managing attorneys at CAIR-CA's four offices to advance CAIR-CA's mission by overseeing legal services processes and standards, litigation, and network relationships. The role will guide and expand CAIR-CA's legal work.

This role involves monitoring, evaluating, and facilitating best practices, fostering cross-office communication, and ensuring consistency and quality across services.

The Legal Director will also be responsible for overseeing program metrics, tracking and reporting, ensuring the effective use of the client services case management system, and leading the organization's strategic and impact litigation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Infrastructure

Lead the development and implementation of standardized policies, procedures, and systems for core legal operations (e.g., intakes, conflict checks, document retention).

Strengthen internal legal coordination by establishing clear processes and cross-office collaboration mechanisms.

Develop and monitor organizational performance metrics and accountability structures to support efficiency and continuous improvement.

Scaling & Operations

Lead efforts to scale legal services to meet rising demand across the state.

Promote streamlined operations across the state to strengthen coordination and service delivery.

Identify and address systemic barriers that impact legal service delivery.

Lead the development of a robust statewide pro bono program to expand capacity for impact litigation, direct services, and legal clinics.

Litigation & Legal Strategy

Oversee CAIR-CA's impact and strategic litigation, including review and approval of key pleadings, motions, and briefs.

Serve as a statewide legal thought leader by analyzing court rulings and emerging legal trends to inform strategy.

Provide high-level guidance on complex and/or precedent-setting cases and collaborate with local teams to ensure alignment.

Team Development & Support

Mentor and support the organization's local attorneys through regular consultation and knowledge sharing.

Develop and implement onboarding and training programs to ensure staff are proficient in legal systems and CAIR-CA protocols.

Serve as a legal resource for internal consultation on substantive law and case management.

Community & External Relations

Guide and coordinate statewide legal education efforts, ensuring consistent messaging and quality.

Cultivate partnerships with legal aid organizations, pro bono attorneys, and direct service providers.

Represent CAIR-CA in external legal spaces, including conferences, media engagements, and collaborative networks.

Policy & Compliance

Work closely with CAIR-CA's policy department to align litigation and advocacy priorities.

Respond to and resolve legal service complaints and identify areas for systemic improvement.

Oversee the development of legal publications and contribute to public-facing reports.

Technology & Innovation

Identify and implement technology solutions, including legal management systems, data analytics tools, and emerging tools such as AI, to improve legal workflows, enhance service delivery, and support strategic litigation.

Lead efforts to assess and adopt tools that automate routine legal tasks (e.g., intake triage, document generation, case tracking), reduce administrative burden, and improve consistency across offices.

Collaborate with IT and operations teams to ensure legal technology aligns with organizational privacy, security, and compliance requirements.

Stay informed on legal tech trends and evaluate their relevance to CAIR-CA's mission and services.

Leadership & Supervision

Collaborate closely with statewide and local directors-across legal, programs, communications, and operations-to align legal strategies with organizational initiatives and ensure seamless service delivery.

May supervise staff; provide input on performance evaluation and professional development plans.

Grants & Compliance

Conduct regular audits of case files and case management systems to ensure compliance with internal policies, legal standards, and best practices.

Assist with securing and implementing statewide legal grants.

Support program audits, funder reporting, and compliance requirements. Seniority level Seniority level Director Employment type Employment type Full-time Job function Job function Legal Industries Non-profit Organizations Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at National Legal Aid & Defender Association by 2x Get notified about new Legal Director jobs in Anaheim, CA . Head of Business & Legal Affairs - Superlogic Los Angeles, CA $175,000.00-$200,000.00 2 weeks ago Counsel Director, Legal and Business Affairs Los Angeles Metropolitan Area $175,000.00-$195,000.00 4 hours ago Anaheim, CA $135,000.00-$185,000.00 1 month ago Anaheim, CA $135,000.00-$185,000.00 1 month ago Irvine, CA $137,300.00-$251,800.00 2 weeks ago Los Angeles, CA $141,090.00-$175,000.00 1 month ago Los Angeles, CA $217,360.00-$398,240.00 3 weeks ago Long Beach, CA $125,000.00-$140,000.00 1 week ago Vice President, Legal- SEC, Governance, and Compliance Los Angeles, CA $245,000.00-$345,000.00 1 month ago Irvine, CA $75,000.00-$90,000.00 5 months ago Los Angeles, CA $220,000.00-$250,000.00 2 weeks ago Los Angeles, CA $230,000.00-$300,000.00 2 weeks ago Los Angeles, CA $150,000.00-$170,000.00 2 weeks ago Senior Director, Corporate & Regulatory Counsel Irvine, CA $204,000.00-$289,000.00 2 weeks ago Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel Los Angeles, CA $217,000.00-$315,000.00 2 weeks ago Los Angeles Metropolitan Area $260,000.00-$290,000.00 2 weeks ago Director, Attorney Management & Excellence - LZ Legal Services Director & Associate General Counsel, Privacy & Product Irvine, CA $201,100.00-$368,700.00 1 week ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

#J-18808-Ljbffr