DIRECTOR, VOTING RIGHTS PROGRAM

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is a New York-based national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

The right to vote—and effective access to the ballot—is foundational to accessing many systems of power in this country. Through a combined approach of litigation, policy advocacy, and community education, AALDEF’s Voting Rights Program seeks to ensure that Asian communities voices are heard and receive full protection of the law throughout the electoral process.

The Director of the Voting Rights Program will work with the Voting Rights Program team, Legal Director, other program attorneys, and staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Set priorities for the program’s litigation, advocacy, and community legal education work.
2. Develop, lead, and oversee program strategies to:
   1. Identify, document, prevent, and resolve violations of voting rights laws impacting Asian voters;
   2. Ensure AALDEF is prepared to carry out its advocacy in advance of election, census, and redistricting cycles;
   3. Train community advocates and organizations on relevant language access, voter assistance, and other ballot access rights voters are entitled to;
   4. Collaborate with community groups to obtain desirable redistricting outcomes;
   5. Collaborate with other civil rights, voting rights, and legal groups to pass legislation that improves access to the ballot for Asian voters; and
   6. Challenge unconstitutional and otherwise illegal laws that inhibit access to the ballot for Asian voters.
3. Help lead organization-wide visioning.
4. Litigate strategic cases as lead or co-counsel.
5. Provide supervision and mentorship to attorneys, community advocates, and interns.
6. Ensure that case handling complies with ethical standards and organizational policies.
7. Identify and create resources, as needed, to support the implementation of best practices in AALDEF’s litigation and programmatic work.
8. Foster a healthy, sustainable, innovative, and results-oriented work environment.
9. Work collaboratively with other programs.
10. Promote AALDEF and engage in public relations, training, and fundraising activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice.
• Understanding of the challenges facing Asian voters.
• Significant litigation experience (minimum 7 years of civil litigation experience).
• Supervisory experience and the desire to supervise attorneys and non-legal staff (minimum 3 years of supervisory experience).
• Ability and desire to mentor junior attorneys in litigation and advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with internal and external partners, whether in our office or remotely.
• Commitment to movement or community lawyering.
• Familiarity with Asian American communities and issues.
• Outstanding writing, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Licensed to practice law in New York or another state.
• Ability to speak an Asian language helpful, but not required.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position is hybrid and includes a mix of in person and remote work.