Staff Attorney - LAH

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION:             Staff Attorney (Full-Time) Hybrid

CLOSING DATE:  Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

LOCATION:          Dallas, Texas

Abilene, Amarillo, Brownwood, Dallas, Denton, Farmers Branch, Fort Worth, Lubbock, McKinney, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, San Angelo, Waxahachie, Weatherford, Wichita Falls, Texas

ABOUT: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality, free civil legal services to low‑income individuals and families in 114 counties across North and West Texas. Our mission is to ensure equal access to justice and improve the lives of low-income communities by providing high-quality legal representation, strategic litigation, valuable legal advice and meaningful collaborations, outreach, and community education.

JOB OVERVIEW:   LANWT seeks a dynamic, self-motivated attorney with vision, initiative, and a strong commitment to public interest law to join our team as a staff attorney. In addition to providing daily representation in civil legal matters, the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to identifying and taking advantage of opportunities for strategic advocacy and to engaging in outreach to and collaboration with low-income individuals, including community groups that are made up of or serve the indigent.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   Staff attorneys are responsible for delivering high-quality civil legal services to low‑income clients. Core responsibilities include:

• Provide high-quality legal representation to low-income clients.
• Interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence and trauma-informed practices.
• Conduct legal research, gather evidence, and advise clients of their legal rights and options.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Represent clients in court and before administrative or quasi-judicial agencies.
• Manage a caseload involving significant litigation and justice-related advocacy.
• Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and community partners.
• Design, develop, and participate in community legal education and outreach initiatives.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with community organizations, particularly those serving low-income and underserved populations.
• Collaborate with community partners to advance LANWT's mission of ensuring equal access to justice and improving the lives of low-income communities.
• Participate in local, regional, and statewide networks, including those serving vulnerable populations.
• Participate in strategic advocacy efforts that advance LANWT's mission of ensuring equal access to justice and improving the lives of low-income communities.
• Refer clients to appropriate services and resources within these networks.
• Attend evening and weekend legal clinics as needed.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of legal assistants, clerical staff, volunteers, or law students as assigned.
• Maintain a working knowledge of, and ensure compliance with, Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding requirements.
• Adhere to all applicable professional and ethical standards, including the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer's Creed, and the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the managing attorney, deputy director, or CEO.

Staff attorneys may work in one or more civil practice areas based on office needs and experience. Specific duties by practice area include, but are not limited to, the following:

Housing Law; Family Law; Consumer Rights and Bankruptcy; Employment, Including Tax Law; Public Benefits and Social Security; Probate; Foreclosure Prevention; Education and Health Law; Other General Civil Legal Areas

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed to practice law in Texas or awaiting Texas Bar reciprocity approval.
• Strong knowledge of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage a caseload, think strategically, and implement projects effectively.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language.
• Ability to handle interactions calmly and professionally with clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and judges.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to de-escalate conflict and communicate effectively with clients, opposing parties, and colleagues in high-stress or emotionally charged situations.
• Strong work ethic, accountability, and professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving low-income communities.
• Reliable attendance and ability to engage in occasional travel throughout LANWT's service area.
• Ability to understand, apply, and stay current on Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, LANWT policies and procedures, and grant and funding compliance requirements.
• Fluency in Spanish (verbal and written) preferred.

This position requires regular use of a computer and standard office equipment, occasional lifting and moving of files or materials, and periodic travel to courts, community locations, and organizational meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

SALARY:   Current entry-level salary for a new attorney is $73,815 per year. The salary for the successful candidate may be significantly higher, based on candidate’s years of experience.

BENEFITS:   Excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Please submit a cover letter expressing interest, a resume, and three professional references during the application process.

LANWT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LANWT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY