Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Litigation Attorney

at Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters

🏢 About Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, uniquely positioned to defend constitutional rights and combat discrimination. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that has litigated landmark cases on religious freedom, surveillance, and hate crimes, directly impacting the lives of American Muslims and broader civil rights.

About This Role

As a Senior Litigation Attorney at CAIR National, you will lead federal civil rights litigation, from trial strategy through oral arguments, while mentoring junior attorneys. Your work will involve high-impact cases against government agencies, often involving Section 1983, First/Fourth Amendment, and RLUIPA claims, making you a key player in shaping civil rights jurisprudence.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a team meeting to discuss strategy on a pending Section 1983 case, followed by drafting a motion for summary judgment. Midday, you could mentor a fellow on deposition preparation, then argue a discovery motion via teleconference. The afternoon might involve reviewing a new intake involving a religious accommodation claim, preparing for an appellate oral argument, and ending with a call with co-counsel from a partner organization.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters Is Looking For

  • A seasoned litigator with 5+ years of federal experience, specifically in complex constitutional or civil rights cases, ideally involving Section 1983, First/Fourth Amendment, or RLUIPA.
  • Demonstrated leadership in trial teams, including drafting motions, managing discovery, and handling depositions and oral arguments in federal court.
  • Comfortable supervising and mentoring junior attorneys and legal fellows, with a collaborative approach to case strategy.
  • Passion for civil rights and alignment with CAIR's mission, with cultural competency and sensitivity to issues affecting the Muslim community.

📝 Tips for Applying to Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters

1

Highlight specific federal civil rights cases you've led or co-led, especially those involving government defendants or constitutional claims like First Amendment or RLUIPA.

2

Quantify your litigation experience (e.g., number of depositions taken, motions argued, trials conducted) to demonstrate depth.

3

Emphasize any experience with Section 1983, as it's a key preference; if you have published opinions or appellate work, include citations.

4

Tailor your resume to show supervisory roles, such as mentoring junior attorneys or managing case teams.

5

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your personal or professional background (if applicable) to CAIR's mission of protecting Muslim civil rights.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your commitment to civil rights and why CAIR's mission resonates with you personally or professionally.", 'Specific examples of leading federal litigation, particularly in constitutional or civil rights areas, with outcomes that advanced justice.', 'Your experience with government litigation and understanding of issues like surveillance, religious accommodation, or hate crimes.', 'Your ability to mentor and lead a team, citing examples of supervising junior attorneys or fellows.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review CAIR's recent amicus briefs and case dockets on their website to understand their current litigation priorities.
  • → Read CAIR's annual civil rights reports to grasp the systemic issues they address and the types of cases they handle.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key CAIR victories, such as cases involving workplace discrimination, airport profiling, or mosque opposition.
  • → Understand the structure of CAIR National versus its chapters, and how this role interacts with both.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a federal civil rights case you led from inception to resolution, including your strategy and key motions.
2 How would you handle a case involving a First Amendment challenge to a government policy that impacts Muslim religious expression?
3 Describe a time you supervised a junior attorney; how did you ensure their growth while maintaining case quality?
4 What is your approach to settlement negotiations in cases where the opposing party is a government agency?
5 How do you stay current on developments in RLUIPA or Section 1983 jurisprudence, and how have you applied them in practice?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without referencing CAIR's specific mission or recent cases, which signals lack of genuine interest.
  • Focusing solely on commercial litigation experience without drawing clear parallels to civil rights or government litigation.
  • Neglecting to mention any supervisory or mentoring experience, as this role explicitly requires leading junior attorneys.

📅 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 Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters!

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