Career Opportunity: Litigation Counsel
Organization Description
Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the only organization that provides free legal advocacy services to people with all types of disabilities, of all ages, throughout North Carolina. We are the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency and a recognized leader in advancing disability rights, with a strong staff and supportive, dynamic work environment. DRNC is well established and positioned for growth. Learn more at www.disabilityrightsnc.org.
Job Description
Disability Rights North Carolina seeks an experienced Litigation Counsel to lead and co-counsel high-impact civil rights litigation in state and federal courts.
The Litigation Counsel will develop and pursue strategic individual and systemic cases that advance the rights of people with disabilities and challenge discrimination, unlawful practices, and systemic barriers. The attorney will have substantial responsibility for developing litigation strategy and handling cases through all stages of litigation, including investigation, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions practice, negotiation, trial, appeal, and enforcement.
The Litigation Counsel will also serve as a litigation resource and mentor to DRNC attorneys and collaborate with advocates, investigators, policy staff, clients, experts, and outside counsel to develop cases capable of achieving meaningful individual and systemic change.
Prior disability-law experience is preferred but not required.
Job Duties include
- Serve as lead counsel and co-counsel in individual, systemic, and impact litigation in state and federal courts
- Identify and develop cases that advance significant disability and civil rights
- Develop and implement litigation strategy consistent with DRNC’s annual targets from pre-filing investigation through resolution, including discovery, depositions, experts, motions practice, hearings, trial, settlement, appeal, and enforcement
- Research and analyze complex federal and state statutory, constitutional, regulatory, and procedural issues and prepare high-quality briefs, motions, memoranda, and other legal filings
- Develop factual records and legal theories in collaboration with DRNC attorneys, advocates, investigators, clients, experts, and outside co-counsel
- Negotiate settlements and systemic remedies designed to produce meaningful and lasting change
- Present oral argument and represent clients in court, administrative proceedings, mediation, and other dispute-resolution processes
- Mentor and co-counsel with DRNC attorneys developing litigation skills and experience
- Maintain complete and accurate records in DRNC’s case-management system
Requirements
- JD degree and admission to practice law in North Carolina or be eligible and willing to obtain North Carolina licensure promptly after employment
- Minimum of 4 years of significant litigation experience, including substantial responsibility for developing and litigating cases in state or federal court
- Demonstrated excellence in legal research, analysis, and writing, including experience preparing substantial briefs and motions
- Experience with significant phases of litigation, such as discovery, depositions, motions practice, hearings, negotiation, or trial
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills and demonstrated ability to analyze complex factual and legal issues and exercise sound professional judgment
- Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, public-interest law, government service, or advancing the rights of historically marginalized communities
Desirable qualifications
- Experience handling civil rights, constitutional rights, nondiscrimination, institutional-reform, class-action, systemic, or other impact litigation
- Trial, evidentiary-hearing, appellate, or significant oral-argument experience
- Experience seeking or enforcing injunctive or other systemic relief
- Experience working with experts and developing complex factual records
- Experience negotiating or enforcing consent decrees, settlement agreements, or other systemic remedies
- Experience mentoring or co-counseling with other attorneys
- Life or other experience with disability
- Ability to communicate in ASL or Spanish
Compensation and Benefits
DRNC offers a competitive nonprofit compensation package. The hiring range is $79,000 and up, depending on experience. Disability Rights NC offers excellent benefits which include 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life and disability as well as generous paid time off and a retirement plan with an employer match.
How to Apply
Send a resume and detailed letter of interest explaining your qualifications and interest in the position to resumes.hr@disabilityrightsnc.org. Include Litigation Counsel in the subject line of the email. No phone calls please.
In your letter of interest, please describe the litigation experience most relevant to this position, including your role in developing litigation strategy, written and oral advocacy, and significant phases of litigation for which you had substantial responsibility.
Candidates who advance in the hiring process will be asked to provide a non-confidential legal writing sample.
Closing Date: Priority given to resumes/cover letters received by September 11, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.
___
Disability Rights NC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Individuals who increase the diversity of our team are encouraged to apply. We participate in E-verify.