Staff Attorney

We are looking for aStaff Attorney to join our team in LA!

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.

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 Asian Pacific Americans. 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

• Juris Doctorate and active membership in good standing with the California State Bar
• Minimum of 3 years of legal experience, including experience in election protection, public benefits, medical-legal partnerships, immigration, or other public interest law.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, voting rights, or public interest law
• Experience or interest in voter protection, election monitoring, or community-based legal education
• Experience working with diverse, immigrant, limited English speaking, and/or low-income communities
• Experience or familiarity with AAPI communities preferred
• Bilingual in at least one Asian language strongly preferred (Chinese, Korean, Thai, Tagalog, or Vietnamese)
• Valid driver’s license or access to alternative means of transportation
• Occasional night and weekend shifts may be required, particularly during election periods
• Regular travel within Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties is required

Qualifications

ABOUT THE ROLE

As part of AJSOCAL’s Impact Litigation Unit (ILU), the Staff Attorney plays a key role in advancing civil rights and social justice through strategic legal advocacy. Under the supervision of the Litigation Director, the Staff Attorney provides direct legal services to clients, engages in litigation, and collaborates with community partners to address systemic issues affecting AAPI and other marginalized communities. This will include supporting ILU’s active federal and state court docket, including habeas corpus petitions, civil rights actions, and government transparency enforcement.

The position will also include a significant focus on voter and election protection work. The Staff Attorney will devote 40% of their time to strengthening and enforcing protections for voters and elections in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties, with a particular focus on expanding the ILU’s 2025 Election Legal Monitor training to support voters during the 2026 elections.

This position involves a combination of client representation, legal research and writing, and participation in broader advocacy efforts. The Staff Attorney will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to identify impactful cases, develop legal strategies, and pursue remedies through administrative and judicial processes.

The position is covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

40% Impact Litigation Unit Support

• Support the Unit’s active federal and state court docket, including habeas corpus petitions, civil rights actions, and government transparency enforcement
• Conduct legal research and writing, including motions, briefs, declarations, and correspondence
• Assist with client and witness interviews, fact development, and case preparation
• Participate in case strategy sessions and contribute to the Unit’s long-term litigation planning
• Represent clients in depositions, hearings, and court or administrative proceedings as needed

40% Voter/Election Protections Program Development and Management

• Investigate and litigate violations of State and Federal voting rights laws
• Litigate voting-rights related matters in State and Federal Court, including by the filing of new actions, collaboration on and preparation of amicus briefs, and development of expert testimony
• Recruit, vet, and train volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law students to serve as legal observers at polling locations across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties
• Develop training curricula covering voter intimidation identification, de-escalation, incident documentation, language access compliance, and legal reporting obligations
• Coordinate field deployment logistics for volunteer observers during early voting, Election Day, and any special or runoff elections
• Monitor for and document the presence of ICE, police, sheriff’s deputies, or organized hate groups near polling locations
• Monitor for and document the absence or inadequacy of non-English signage, ballots, and voter assistance as required by the Voting Rights Act and California Elections Code
• Compile incident reports and coordinate rapid-response legal escalation as warranted
• Build and maintain relationships with county election officials, community organizations, and coalition partners

15% Community Outreach and Education

• Develop and execute community outreach strategies for voter protection, including culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for AAPI communities
• Conduct know-your-rights presentations and voter education sessions with local community-based organizations, faith institutions, and civic partners
• Represent AJSOCAL at coalition meetings, advocacy events, and public forums related to voting rights and election integrity

5% Other Duties

• 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.