Date Posted: June 30, 2006
Job ID: NCLR106
Job Title: Staff Attorney
Job Function: Litigation Reseach, Preparation of Briefs, etc.
Employer: National Center For Lesbian Rights
Location: San Francisco, CA


Description:

STAFF ATTORNEY
NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS

The National Center for Lesbian Rights seeks a highly skilled, enthusiastic, articulate and motivated individual as staff attorney in our San Francisco office.

About NCLR
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal resource center with a primary commitment to advancing the rights and safety of lesbians and their families through a program of litigation, public policy advocacy, free legal advice and counseling, and public education. In addition, NCLR provides representation and resources to gay men, and bisexual and transgender individuals on key issues that also significantly advance lesbian rights.

Projects

Family Law Project: securing legal recognition of same-sex couples (marriage rights, civil unions, domestic partner benefits, partnership protection documents), and LGBT parents (child custody, second-parent adoption, guardianship, pre-birth decrees, visitation, alternative insemination, child support);

Youth Project: providing legal representation, advocacy, information and support on behalf of LGBT youth who suffer discrimination or abuse in the mental health, child welfare, criminal justice and education systems;

Immigration/Asylum Project: providing legal representation, support, assistance and community education to LGBT immigrants, and advocating for equitable immigration and asylum laws and policies;

Elder Law Project: providing public education and workshops on issues of special concern to LGBT elders, including Social Security, domestic partner benefits, estate planning, and health issues;

Homophobia in Sports Project: providing legal resources to LGBT athletes, coaches, and sports personnel.

Responsibilities: The staff attorney will handle all aspects of litigation in precedent-setting cases. Litigation responsibilities primarily include legal research and the drafting and finalizing of appellate and trial level briefs and memoranda. Duties also, but less significantly include devising litigation strategies to produce the greatest positive impact most efficiently, conducting each stage of litigation in trial and appellate courts, assisting with the screening of requests for legal assistance, and investigating and developing potential new matters. Some travel is required.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a minimum of two years experience that prepares the applicant to independently conduct legal research and draft high quality legal briefs and memoranda. Applicants should possess a high level of independence and initiative, good judgment, and outstanding research and writing abilities Applicants should possess the ability to produce the highest caliber legal work, creativity, and a willingness to work with others toward the most effective strategies and initiatives to advance civil rights.

Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience within the guidelines of NCLR's scale. Excellent employer paid benefits package including medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance and generous employer contribution to retirement account.

Application: Send résumé, writing sample, and letter of interest by July 31, 2006 to:

Shannon Minter
Legal Director
870 Market Street, Suite 370
San Francisco, CA 94102

National Center for Lesbian Rights is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, people of color, LGBT persons, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.