Senior Civil Rights Attorney

CAIR-CA; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid medical and dental coverage

401(k) with employer match

12 vacation days

10 sick days

12 holidays

Job summary

A civil rights advocacy organization in San Diego is seeking a Senior Civil Rights Attorney to lead impactful legal work against discrimination. This position involves managing caseloads, representing clients in court, and engaging with community education. Candidates should possess a law degree, California Bar admission, and a minimum of five years of relevant experience. The role offers a full-time position with competitive benefits including medical coverage and a hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years full-time experience in employment law or civil rights cases.
• Strong commitment to civil rights and CAIR’s mission.
• Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes and investigate legal claims.
• Manage individual caseloads on civil rights matters.
• Identify and lead litigation in federal and state courts.

Skills

Time-management skills

Problem-solving skills

Excellent oral communication skills

Excellent written communication skills

Interpersonal skills for diverse backgrounds

Self-motivated

Attention to detail

Education

Law degree from ABA-accredited school

California State Bar admission

Tools

MS Office

Outlook

SharePoint

Office365

Lexis Nexis

WestLaw Next

Job description

Title: Senior Civil Rights Attorney

Location: San Diego, CA

Term: Full‑time; occasional evenings and weekends required.

Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $90,000 – $115,000 per year, commensurate with skills and experience.

Reports to: Executive Director

Requirements: Reliable transportation.

Benefits: 100% employer‑paid medical and dental coverage for employees & dependents, 401(k) with employer match, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days, 12 holidays, and a hybrid work schedule.

About Us

We are the largest American Muslim civil‑rights organization, protecting the rights to free speech, religious practice, employment opportunities, and a reprisal‑free life for all Americans. The Council on American‑Islamic Relations, California (CAIR‑CA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to civil‑rights advocacy and mutual understanding.

About the Role

As Senior Staff Attorney – Civil Rights, you will lead impactful legal work, identify systemic injustices, and develop strategic solutions to protect American Muslims from discrimination, harassment, bullying, and other civil‑rights violations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes and investigate legal claims through effective communication with a diverse community.
• Manage individual caseloads and oversee staff work on civil‑rights matters.
• Identify, develop, and lead litigation in federal and state courts: prepare pleadings, motions, and briefs; conduct discovery; present oral arguments; and handle appeals.
• Assist the Executive Director and development team with research, preparation, and submission of grant applications and reports.
• Develop community education materials, co‑create webinars, and deliver Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations.
• Communicate with outside parties such as attorneys, employers, law enforcement, administrative agencies, and media contacts.
• Educate and empower community members on their rights through presentations and material distributions.
• Travel for outreach, including community events and coalition meetings.
• Teach and mentor staff attorneys, supervise staff, law clerks, legal fellows, and volunteers.
• Assist other staff in the production of internal and external reports.
• Advance CAIR’s advocacy by providing legal analysis and technical assistance to colleagues, government officials, media, organizers, and attorneys nationwide.
• Assist with general duties such as answering phones, outreach, fundraising, and office tasks.

Qualifications

• Law degree from an American Bar Association–accredited school.
• California State Bar admission.
• Minimum five years of full‑time experience advocating for, representing, and/or litigating on behalf of clients in employment law, religious discrimination, public accommodation, and denial of benefits cases.
• Strong time‑management and meeting‑deadline skills.
• Problem‑solving skills with outstanding attention to detail.
• Ability to work productively in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking experience.
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds.
• Access to a working vehicle and ability to drive throughout the San Diego area.
• High degree of self‑motivation and creativity.
• Strong commitment to civil rights and CAIR’s mission.
• Basic computer proficiency (MS Office, Outlook). Knowledge of cloud applications such as SharePoint, Office365, WestLaw Next, Lexis Nexis, and social media platforms is preferred.
• Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu is preferred.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume with a writing sample, and three professional references.

CAIR‑CA is an equal‑opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.