Impact Litigation Legal Advocate

We are looking for an Impact Litigation Legal Advocate to join our team in Los Angeles!
 
WHO WE ARE 

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

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and 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, and U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops and 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 and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, and our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) and Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies and 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 and local practices that impact millions of Asian American and immigrant families across California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws and local practices that impact millions of Asian American and immigrant families across California. 

WHAT WE BRING 

• The special opportunity to join a mission driven team. 
• Flexible, hybrid work schedules. 
• Rich medical, dental and vision benefits. 
• Retirement options through 403B and match. 

WHO YOU ARE 

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

WHAT YOU BRING 

• Minimum Associate's degree required
• Paralegal Certificate strongly preferred
• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred
• One to three years of relevant work experience in litigation and/or civil rights
• Background in public interest, voting rights, or addressing social issues preferred
• Valid driver’s license and/or access to alternative means of transportation

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Under the supervision of the Director of Litigation, the Legal Advocate plays a vital role in supporting the impact litigation team through a combination of client services, case support, and advocacy coordination. This position serves as a key litigation professional, drafting legal research, pleadings, memoranda, and correspondence at the direction of litigation attorneys. The Legal Advocate works directly litigators, clients, and litigation contractors throughout the legal process, ensuring timely and effective service delivery. This position IS covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit. 

Your day-to-day responsibilities:

85% Support Client Advocacy 

• Correspond with AAPI clients under attorney supervision. 
• Assist in identifying appropriate legal remedies or guidance for clients. 
• Support casework through interviewing, document preparation, filing, discovery, and calendar maintenance. 

15% Administrative 

• Track case status and deadlines. 
• Conduct California and Federal Court filings. 
• Maintain internal case records. 
• All other duties as assigned. 

At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  AJSOCAL strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.   

All positions are subject to funding, and non-collective bargaining unit positions are also at will.