Legal Director

Legal Director, Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice (5258C), Berkeley Law 86589 Departmental Overview The UC Berkeley Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice, housed at Berkeley Law, works to establish equity and fairness in the marketplace. Through research, advocacy, policy, and teaching, the Center strives to apply robust consumer protection laws in places, and among people, where those laws haven't been used before, and to create a society in which economic, racial and social justice are available to all. The Center believes that building economic justice means developing and enforcing laws that fight fraud and deception, that protect low‑income communities and communities of color, and that promote financial security and empowerment. Our activities always highlight the interests and experiences of vulnerable consumers, including immigrants, survivors of domestic violence & elder abuse, people impacted by the criminal legal system, and others. Contributing to policy making by federal and state legislatures and regulatory agencies has long been a priority for the Center's work. In recent years the Center and our affiliates have supported a range legislation in California and elsewhere promoting economic justice, including: Expanding the rights of student loan borrowers, survivors of domestic violence and elder financial abuse, low‑income homeowners seeking clean energy improvements, and tenants; Protecting consumers in debt collection and foreclosure proceedings by curbing the ability of creditors to garnish wages, issue bank levies, or seek foreclosure; Removing the effect of eviction proceedings and medical debt on credit reports; Safeguarding personal data and consumer privacy from third‑party data brokers and credit reporting agencies; Eliminating opaque and hidden 'junk fees' in most consumer products and services, including residential rentals and state‑chartered banks; Creating California's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation; and Expanding access to the court system for low‑income consumers, including by overhauling the system for assuring effective service of process. Position Summary The Legal Director will be responsible for drafting amicus briefs, working with counsel, writing regulatory comments, supervising law students, and generally advancing the cause of economic justice in the courts and agencies of every level of government throughout the U.S., including especially California. The Legal Director will also help to coordinate the CLASS (Consumer Law Advocates, Scholars, & Students) Network, a nationwide consortium dedicated to promoting consumer rights and economic justice programs in law schools around the United States and beyond. The CLASS Network has helped build and support programs at dozens of law schools, including assisting in the creation of first‑ever courses in Consumer Protection Law offered at numerous schools, developing and fostering new clinics and student organizations, and providing the chance for law students to work on shared research projects requested by nonprofit, legal aid, and governmental agencies around the country. The Legal Director will also be involved with the full range of the Center's activities, from arranging conferences to delivering presentations and testimony to spurring the development of consumer protection law across the country and the world. Responsibilities Legal and Policy Analysis Leads the research, analysis, and drafting of amicus briefs in appellate courts across California and the United States, addressing complex issues in consumer protection and economic justice. Develops and submits regulatory comments in federal and state rulemaking proceedings, translating legal research into policy‑relevant recommendations. Identifies emerging legal and policy trends; formulates strategic responses to influence the development of consumer law. Operational and Program Management Oversees the legal and programmatic operations of the Center's initiatives, including amicus briefing, regulatory advocacy, and national network activities. Manages multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines, ensuring timely and high‑quality outcomes. Develops and implements processes to support coordination, collaboration, and program effectiveness across initiatives. Student Mentorship and Research Leadership Works closely with students, including law student fellows who formally report to the Executive Director, by providing mentorship, guidance, and support in connection with Center initiatives and programs, such as the Consumer Protection Public Policy Order (C3PO). Oversees student‑led research projects conducted in partnership with external organizations, ensuring high‑quality legal analysis and deliverables. May supervise student assistants. Network Coordination and Engagement Coordinates the Consumer Law Advocates, Scholars & Students (CLASS) Network, a nationwide consortium of law schools, faculty, students, and practitioners. Serves as a primary liaison to external stakeholders, including non‑governmental Organizations (NGOs), legal aid organizations, and regulatory agencies, ensuring effective coordination across geographically dispersed partners. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Works closely with faculty, students, nonprofit leaders, and government attorneys to advance programmatic and policy goals. Represents the Center in public forums, including conferences, presentations, and legislative or regulatory testimony. Communicates complex legal and policy concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including academic, professional, and public stakeholders. Program Leadership and Strategy Provides strategic direction for legal advocacy initiatives, including long‑term planning for impact litigation and regulatory engagement aimed at shaping the evolution of consumer protection law. Designs and implements innovative programs to expand consumer law education and advocacy, including launching new academic offerings and clinics at law schools nationwide. Addresses complex, non‑routine challenges requiring creative problem‑solving, including building support for new legal programs in institutions without existing consumer law infrastructure. Required Qualifications Advanced knowledge of consumer protection law or related field(s), administrative law, and experience with the regulatory process at state and/or federal levels. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff, students, and external partners, both verbally and in writing. Exceptional legal research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills, particularly in drafting appellate briefs and regulatory comments. Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality. Strong project and program management skills, including the ability to lead complex, multi‑institutional initiatives with competing deadlines. Thorough knowledge of and/or ability to learn organizational or initiative processes, protocols and procedures. Strategic planning skills, including the ability to help design long‑term initiatives that influence legal and policy outcomes. Advanced problem‑solving skills, with the ability to develop creative and strategic solutions to novel legal and programmatic challenges. Ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy while managing multiple high‑impact projects. Ability to form and maintain strong working relationships across a broad spectrum of people and organizations. Ability to manage ambiguity and adapt to evolving legal, policy, and organizational priorities. Strong attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Demonstrated commitment and/or ability to demonstrate how to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders. Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds. Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate student work to ensure high‑quality legal analysis and deliverables. Demonstrated experience researching and drafting amicus and/or appellate briefs. Demonstrated commitment to advancing consumer rights, economic justice, and public interest law. Experience in and/or knowledge of Consumer Protection Law or related field(s). Education / Training Advanced degree in Law, such as a Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M), and/or equivalent experience/training. Licenses / Certifications Admission to at least one state bar. Preferred Qualifications Experience preparing and submitting regulatory comments in state and/or federal rulemaking proceedings. Admission to the State Bar of California. Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit University of California's Compensation & Benefits website. Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $107,000.00 - $130,000.00. However, the expected hiring range is $115,000.00 - $125,000.00, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is an exempt, monthly‑paid position. This is a full‑time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for full UC benefits. The salary for this position may be subject to future negotiated adjustments in accordance with the RP collective bargaining agreement. A finalized copy of the agreement will be made available on the UC Net bargaining agreements page once published here: Other Information This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for RP. This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee. Travel requirements: 5% travel to conferences and for occasional site visits to other law schools and for co-counsel conferring. This position is eligible for up to 20% remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change. Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. Misconduct SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer. 'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, Abusive Conduct in the Workplace. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. #J-18808-Ljbffr