Attorney, Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties (IRCL)

Job Description

Job Description

Join Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) and Ignite Your Passion for Disability Rights Advocacy!

At DRTx we believe in supporting our employees by offering generous leave allocations including personal leave days, vacation hours, and sick leave, ensuring your well-being and work-life balance from day one. We also offer a paid winter break – because everyone deserves time to recharge and reconnect. Check out this link for more information.

By working at DRTx, you will have the opportunity to amplify your advocacy for individuals with disabilities and work alongside people who share your passion. We're proud of our employees, clients, partners, and communities, and we welcome you to be part of our journey towards positive change.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply now and let's shape a brighter future together!

Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is pleased to announce that we are currently recruiting for two (2) Team Attorney positions for our Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties (IRCL) team. One attorney position will be based in Austin; the other position can be based out of any of our current offices across the state.

About the Position

The Team Attorney provides legal services to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) priorities and applicable laws. This role is responsible for evaluating requests for assistance, determining eligibility, and delivering legal advocacy, investigating complaints, interviewing clients, reviewing records, conducting legal research, negotiating outcomes and representing clients in administrative hearings and in state and federal court proceedings.

Working under the direction of a Supervising Attorney, the Team Attorney manages a caseload, develops legal strategies, and provides guidance to Advocates and other staff as appropriate. The Team Attorney consults with the Team’s Litigation Attorney and the agency’s Litigation Coordinators regarding litigation strategies and other issues and co-counsels litigation with other agency attorneys or pro bono counsel. The position also supports outreach and education on issues relevant to the issue team.

Work Environment & Functional Requirements

This position involves regular use of computers, telephones, and other communication tools to perform legal work, including research, documentation, and communication.

Duties may be performed in a seated, standing, or alternative position. The role includes managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and engaging in complex or sensitive legal matters.

Travel within Texas may be required based on program needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Essential Functions

1. Provide legal representation and advocacy to eligible clients, including advice and counsel, negotiation, mediation, administrative complaints and proceedings, and litigation in administrative hearings and state and federal court proceedings.
2. Evaluate requests for assistance and determine eligibility for services in accordance with organizational policies and priorities.
3. Develop and maintain an assigned caseload at the level required by the agency’s client services policies and procedures and meet expectations for litigation, including case strategy development, documentation, calendaring, and case progression.
4. Conduct legal research, analyze facts, and apply applicable laws and regulations to support case outcomes.
5. With input from the Supervising Attorney, prepares litigation budgets and requests for pro bono attorneys.
6. Independently and competently prepare legal documents, including pleadings, briefs, memoranda, written discovery, and correspondence with input from the Team Litigation Attorney and the agency’s Litigation Coordinators as needed.
7. Interview clients, witnesses, and stakeholders and review relevant records and evidence.
8. Provide guidance and technical assistance to Advocates and other staff on case strategy and legal issues, as appropriate.
9. Communicate effectively with clients, staff, opposing parties, and external stakeholders regarding legal matters.
10. Develop and deliver training and educational presentations on issues relevant to the issue team
11. Maintain accurate, timely, and complete case records, including requests for attorney’s fees in fee generating cases in accordance with organizational and legal standards.
12. Comply with the agency’s client services policies and procedures regarding client interviews, client contact, case records, investigations, case advocacy, and case files.
13. Develop case strategies and interventions based on proper legal standards and precedent with input from the Team’s Litigation Attorney and the agency’s Litigation Coordinators.
14. Provide technical assistance to private attorneys and pro bono counsel representing persons with disabilities as needed.
15. Appropriately prioritize tasks as needed and to multi-task numerous responsibilities in a timely manner.
16. Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external partners, including community organizations and legal professionals.
17. Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, and ethical standards in all aspects of work.
18. Manage workload and priorities to meet deadlines and organizational expectations.
19. Participate in ongoing professional development and maintain required licensure.

Additional Duties

Perform other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the position.

Required Qualifications

Education and Licensure

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and in good standing

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant legal experience, preferably including work with individuals with disabilities or in public interest law

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and rights protection statutes affecting individuals with disabilities, or the ability to acquire such knowledge within a reasonable period of time
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop effective case strategies
• Ability to write clearly and effectively
• Ability to conduct legal research and apply findings to casework
• Ability to communicate effectively in legal proceedings and other settings with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic work environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and commitment to ethical practice

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and legal case management systems
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills when drafting complaints, briefs, and other pleadings; conducting depositions and other discovery methods; and representing clients in administrative hearings or state or federal court proceedings.

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel within Texas, including rural areas, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to maintain licensure and comply with continuing legal education requirements
• Ability to take direction and independently follow through on all instructions
• Demonstrated ability to manage individual workload so services are delivered timely and appropriately
• Ability to work collaboratively with other agency attorneys and/or pro bono attorneys as co-counsel
• Willingness to take direction from more experienced colleagues

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in disability rights law, public interest law, or civil litigation
2. Experience working with government entities or community-based organizations
3. Spanish bilingual proficiency (written and spoken)