Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Attorney

at Disability Rights California

🏢 About Disability Rights California

Disability Rights California (DRC) is a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of people with disabilities through systemic advocacy, litigation, and policy work. Working at DRC means joining a mission-driven team that fights for equity and inclusion for all disabled individuals, offering a collaborative environment where your work directly impacts lives.

About This Role

As a Senior Attorney, you will lead and participate in high-impact litigation, including class actions and appeals, to combat discrimination and improve access for people with disabilities. This role combines hands-on legal advocacy with mentorship of junior staff, making it ideal for an experienced attorney seeking to shape disability law and practice.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a case team meeting to discuss strategy for an ongoing class action, followed by reviewing discovery responses and drafting a motion. In the afternoon, you could mentor a junior attorney on an appellate brief, then meet with a community partner to discuss a new advocacy initiative. The role blends high-level litigation with hands-on collaboration, ensuring no two days are the same.

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🎯 Who Disability Rights California Is Looking For

  • A seasoned litigator with 7+ years of experience, admitted to the California Bar, and a track record of handling complex cases, including class actions and appeals.
  • Deep expertise in disability rights laws (ADA, Section 504, FEHA) and a passion for systemic change.
  • Strong leadership and mentorship skills, with experience supervising attorneys or legal teams.
  • Excellent oral and written advocacy skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate with community partners.

📝 Tips for Applying to Disability Rights California

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific disability rights litigation experience, including case outcomes and your role in class actions or appeals.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your personal or professional motivation to DRC's mission and the communities they serve.

3

Provide writing samples that demonstrate complex legal analysis in disability rights cases, preferably briefs or motions from active litigation.

4

If you have supervisory experience, detail how you have mentored junior attorneys or advocates in a legal setting.

5

Research DRC's recent cases and policy initiatives (e.g., Olmstead enforcement, voting access) and reference them in your application to show genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your commitment to disability rights and alignment with DRC's mission of advancing power and dignity for disabled people.", 'Specific examples of your litigation experience, especially class actions or appeals, and how they advanced disability access.', 'Your ability to lead and mentor a legal team, with concrete examples of supervising or training others.', 'Your familiarity with California disability law and willingness to engage in multi-forum advocacy (court, administrative, legislative).']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review DRC's recent annual reports and case highlights on their website to understand their current priorities and impact.
  • → Familiarize yourself with DRC's advocacy areas (e.g., healthcare access, education, housing) and identify which aligns with your expertise.
  • → Read about DRC's history as California's protection and advocacy system and its role in landmark disability rights cases.
  • → Check DRC's blog or news section for recent press releases or policy statements to understand their public stance on current issues.
Visit Disability Rights California's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a complex disability rights case you litigated and the strategy you used to achieve a systemic impact.
2 How do you approach mentoring junior attorneys while managing your own caseload?
3 What is your understanding of DRC's role in enforcing the Olmstead decision, and how would you contribute?
4 How do you build relationships with disability community organizations to inform your advocacy?
5 Tell us about a time you had to adapt your litigation strategy due to unforeseen challenges (e.g., new law, opposition tactics).
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference DRC's specific mission or recent work.
  • Overlooking the requirement for California Bar membership and 7+ years of experience—ensure your application clearly states both.
  • Failing to provide writing samples or references that demonstrate disability rights expertise—generic litigation experience is insufficient.
  • Neglecting to highlight supervisory or mentorship experience, which is a key responsibility of this role.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Disability Rights California!

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