SUPERVISING ATTORNEY - CIVIL LITIGATION - FORT BEND COUNTY

Job Description

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Legal Services Director, the Supervising Attorney leads the Fort Bend County Civil Legal Project, overseeing legal representation of clients needing assistance with civil matters, primarily related to property preservation, landlord-tenant, probate, estate planning, juvenile justice, and a limited number of family law matters from intake to litigation. This position may also handle cases involving other types of civil litigation as community legal needs are identified. This role includes direct supervision of staff attorneys, law students, and legal support personnel, ensuring high-quality, client-centered legal services. The Supervising Attorney also contributes to strategic planning, compliance, and outreach efforts to advance the mission of the Earl Carl Institute.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Provides oversight and supervision of attorneys and legal interns handling probate and estate planning cases.

· Manages caseloads and ensures timely, effective legal representation from intake through litigation.

· Develops and implements training programs for staff and students on relevant legal topics and procedures.

· Serves as lead counsel in complex or high-impact cases.

· Collaborates with the Associate Director to develop strategic goals for the Heirs Property Program.

· Ensures compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations.

· Oversees case management system usage and data integrity.

· Leads community outreach and educational initiatives related to heirs’ property and estate planning.

· Maintains current knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and case law.

· Conducts legal research, drafts pleadings, and supervises document preparation.

· Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and client-centered work environment.

· Performs administrative duties and other tasks as assigned by leadership.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience :

Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in general civil legal practice and substantive law in the areas described above. Prefer prior experience as lead attorney in all or some combination of these types of cases.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements :

Licensed to practice law in Texas.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of:

· Real Estate, Probate and Landlord-Tenant law preferred

· Ability to work with a diverse multi-cultural population of clients, students and staff.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

· Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications.

 

Skill in:

· Exercises critical thinking

· Performs duties within scope of general University policies, procedures and objectives.

· Analyzes problems and performs needs assessments.

· Uses judgment in adapting broad guidelines to achieve desired result.

· Regular exercise of independent judgment within accepted practices.

· Planning activities.

· Legal research and writing.

· Analyzing documents.

· Makes recommendations that affect policies, procedures and practices.

· Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

· Supervise and mentor attorneys and students.

· Manage high caseloads and meet deadlines.

· Communicate effectively with diverse populations.

· Use legal software such as Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, and ProDoc.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMAND:

Routine office environment.

Sitting or standing in one location much of the time.

Some stooping, lifting or carrying objects light weight may be required.

Use of video display terminal.

\nCompany Description

The mission of the Institute is to empower underserved and disenfranchised communities by addressing systemic social issues through legal representation, research, education and advocacy.

Company Description

The mission of the Institute is to empower underserved and disenfranchised communities by addressing systemic social issues through legal representation, research, education and advocacy.