Application Guide

How to Apply for Supervising Attorney, Workers’ Rights

at UFW Foundation

🏢 About UFW Foundation

The UFW Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the United Farm Workers (UFW), the legendary union founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. It provides legal services, advocacy, and organizing support to farm workers and other low-wage workers across California and beyond. Working here means joining a mission-driven organization with a deep legacy of fighting for workers' rights, where you can help shape a new program from the ground up.

About This Role

As Supervising Attorney for the Workers’ Rights Program, you will represent farm workers in wage theft, heat illness, retaliation, and other employment cases while building the program’s infrastructure, partnerships, and team. You’ll mentor newer attorneys, develop legal strategies, and collaborate with organizers and community partners. This is a rare chance to lead and innovate rather than inherit an existing playbook, directly impacting a workforce that faces extreme risks.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a team check-in, then shift to strategy calls with partners or co-counsel on a wage theft case. You could spend the afternoon mentoring a junior attorney on a deposition, reviewing intake from a new client, or drafting a policy comment. Expect a mix of direct representation, program development, and relationship-building—all while working remotely and occasionally traveling to meet workers in the field.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who UFW Foundation Is Looking For

  • Active California Bar admission and residence in California, with 3+ years of experience representing workers in employment or labor law, including litigation and negotiation.
  • Demonstrated leadership potential—whether through mentoring, launching a project or clinic, or leading complex cases—even without the formal title of Supervising Attorney.
  • Commitment to social justice and experience working with low-wage, immigrant, or farm worker communities; bilingual Spanish/English is strongly preferred.
  • Ability to build systems and partnerships from scratch, and comfort with remote work and travel to rural areas as needed.

📝 Tips for Applying to UFW Foundation

1

Highlight any experience you have with farm worker or agricultural communities specifically, as UFW Foundation is deeply rooted in that world.

2

Emphasize leadership and initiative in your resume and cover letter—show how you've mentored others, launched projects, or built partnerships, not just handled cases.

3

If you speak Spanish, make it prominent; it's a major asset for this role and the communities served.

4

Connect your work to UFW Foundation's broader mission and the legacy of Cesar Chavez; show you understand the unique challenges farm workers face.

5

Address your California Bar admission and residence upfront in your cover letter to avoid any confusion about eligibility.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter should convey: 1) Your specific experience representing workers in cases involving wage theft, heat illness, or retaliation, and your approach to tough negotiations or novel legal strategies. 2) Your leadership story—how you've mentored, built, or launched something, even if you haven't held the title of Supervising Attorney. 3) Your connection to UFW Foundation's mission and farm worker communities, including any personal or professional ties. 4) Your vision for building a workers' rights program, including ideas for partnerships, systems, or innovative legal strategies.

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Learn about UFW Foundation's current programs, recent victories, and ongoing campaigns, especially in workers' rights and immigration.
  • → Research the UFW's history and Cesar Chavez's legacy to understand the organization's culture and values.
  • → Familiarize yourself with California labor laws and recent developments affecting farm workers, such as heat illness standards or wage theft protections.
  • → Look into the specific challenges farm workers face in California, including housing, health, and immigration issues, to speak knowledgeably in interviews.
Visit UFW Foundation's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building a new workers' rights program from scratch, including setting priorities, systems, and partnerships?
2 Describe a time you mentored a junior attorney or led a team on a complex case. What was your leadership style?
3 What legal strategies have you used or would you use to address heat illness or wage theft among farm workers?
4 How would you collaborate with organizers, community groups, and government agencies to advance workers' rights?
5 Tell us about a time you had to innovate or try a novel legal approach when traditional methods weren't working.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't treat this as just another legal job—showing a lack of passion for social justice or farm worker issues will be a major turnoff.
  • Avoid focusing only on your case wins without demonstrating leadership, mentorship, or program-building experience.
  • Don't overlook the remote nature and California residency requirement; failing to confirm eligibility can disqualify you early.

📅 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 UFW Foundation!

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