Impact Litigation Staff Attorney

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Friday Wellness Hours

Hybrid work opportunities

Generous leave and holidays

Paid parental/bereavement leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is seeking a Staff Attorney in Los Angeles to join its Impact Litigation Unit. The role centers on advancing civil rights, providing direct legal services, and coordinating with partners to address systemic issues affecting AAPI and marginalized communities.

The Staff Attorney will devote a significant portion of time to voter and election protections, develop training, and engage in community outreach while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in California or eligible.
• Experience in civil rights litigation preferred.
• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the Impact Litigation Unit’s federal and state court docket
• Conduct legal research and writing, including motions and briefs
• Assist with client and witness interviews, fact development, and case preparation
• Participate in case strategy sessions and long-term planning
• Represent clients in depositions, hearings, and court proceedings

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Client representation

Litigation

Volunteer coordination

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Job description

We are looking for a Staff Attorney to join our team in Los Angeles!

Who We Are

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal & civil rights organization that advocates for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals & organizations annually. AJSOCAL offers free legal help, engages in impact litigation, & advocates for policy change. Our services are open to individuals of all races & ethnicities, without restriction. AJSOCAL strives to be a champion for the most vulnerable members of the AAPI communities, while advancing civil rights & social justice for everyone.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles & Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, & Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, & serve our communities all across the country.

We provide supportive services for individuals wanting to start the immigration process through Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, the Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T-Visa, & U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops & resources to help you on your naturalization journey. Beyond immigration, we also lead community-centered initiatives such as the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor & Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, & our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) & Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies & grassroots partnerships that deepen our impact across Southern California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws & local practices that impact millions of Asian American & immigrant families across California.

Who You Are

You share our mission of advocacy for AAPIs. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights & social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives & communities in Los Angeles & across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization & its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, & your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.

Why You’ll Love Working at AJSOCAL

At Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), our people are our greatest strength. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel supported, respected, and empowered to do meaningful work that creates lasting impact for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across Southern California.

When you join AJSOCAL, you're not just building a career — you're joining a collaborative team that values professional growth, work-life balance, and community.

The benefits outlined below reflect those available to full-time employees (FTEs). Part-time employees (PTEs) also enjoy access to benefits, prorated according to their regularly scheduled hours and subject to applicable eligibility requirements and plan provisions.

• Friday Wellness Hours for eligible employees, providing Friday afternoons to recharge while remaining compensated
• Hybrid work opportunities for eligible positions
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and 16 paid organizational holidays in addition to 1 floating holiday
• Winter office closure
• Paid parental leave, bereavement leave, and other supportive leave programs
• Sabbatical opportunities for eligible employees
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions (after eligibility requirements are met)
• Public transportation reimbursement
• Bilingual/Biliterate stipend for qualifying positions
• Gated parking lot
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (base plan fully covered for employee)
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Supplement term life insurance for yourself and loved ones (spouse and/or dependents)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness programming designed to support your physical and mental well-being
• Conferences, trainings, and continuing education opportunities
• Professional membership covered upon approval
• Leadership development and career growth opportunities
• Inclusive, collaborative culture where every voice matters
• Commitment to inclusive workplace culture and belonging
• Opportunities to build meaningful relationships with colleagues across programs and departments
• Make a tangible difference through mission-driven work that advances civil rights, equity, and justice.
• Collaborate with passionate colleagues who care deeply about the communities we serve.
  

About the Role

As part of AJSOCAL’s Impact Litigation Unit (ILU), the Staff Attorney plays a key role in advancing civil rights and social justice through strategic legal advocacy. Under the supervision of the Litigation Director, the Staff Attorney provides direct legal services to clients, engages in litigation, and collaborates with community partners to address systemic issues affecting AAPI and other marginalized communities.This will include supporting ILU’s active federal and state court docket, including habeas corpus petitions, civil rights actions, and government transparency enforcement.

The position will also include a significant focus on voter and election protection work.The Staff Attorney will devote 40% of their time to strengthening and enforcing protections for voters and elections in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties, with a particular focus on expanding the ILU’s 2025 Election Legal Monitor training to supportvoters during the 2026 elections.

This position involves a combination of client representation, legal research and writing, and participation in broader advocacy efforts. The Staff Attorney will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to identify impactful cases, develop legal strategies, and pursue remedies through administrative and judicial processes. The position is covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities

40% Impact Litigation Unit Support:

• Support the Unit’s active federal and state court docket, including habeas corpus petitions, civil rights actions, and government transparency enforcement
• Conduct legal research and writing, including motions, briefs, declarations, and correspondence
• Assist with client and witness interviews, fact development, and case preparation
• Participate in case strategy sessions and contribute to the Unit’s long-term litigation planning
• Represent clients in depositions, hearings, and court or administrative proceedings as needed

40% Voter/Election Protections Program Development and Management:

• Investigate and litigate violations of State and Federal voting rights laws
• Litigate voting-rights related matters in State and Federal Court, including by the filing of new actions, collaboration on and preparation of amicus briefs, and development of expert testimony
• Recruit, vet, and train volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law students to serve as legal observers at polling locations acrossLos Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties
• Develop training curricula covering voter intimidation identification, de-escalation, incident documentation, language access compliance, and legal reporting obligations
• Coordinate field deployment logistics for volunteer observers during early voting, Election Day, and any special or runoff elections
• Monitor for and document the presence of ICE, police, sheriff’s deputies, or organized hate groups near polling locations
• Monitor for and document the absence or inadequacy of non-English signage, ballots, and voter assistance as required by the Voting Rights Act and California Elections Code
• Compile incident reports and coordinate rapid-response legal escalation as warranted
• Build and maintain relationships with county election officials, community organizations, and coalition partners

15% Community Outreach and Education:

• Develop and execute community outreach strategies for voter protection, including culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for AAPI communities
• Conduct know-your-rights presentations and voter education sessions with local community-based organizations, faith institutions, and civic partners
• Represent AJSOCAL at coalition meetings, advocacy events, and public forums related to voting rights and election integrity