AFJ Law Deputy Program Director - Texas (Texas-Based & Texas Licensed)

AFJ Law Deputy Program Director – Texas (Texas-Based & Texas Licensed)

AFJ Law Program Director  

Exempt

About Alliance for Justice (AFJ) and AFJ Law

• Public-facing material, including reports, communications, websites, etc.
• Advocacy campaign development and risk-assessment
• Navigating political activity restrictions
• Lobbying
• Civic Engagement
• Advocacy during election cycles
• Governance and organizational structure
• Organizational bylaws, policies and procedures

Job Purpose

Duties and Responsibilities

• In partnership with the AFJ Law Program Director, set up and establish the AFJ Law practice for the state of Texas
• Lead and manage a direct legal services practice in Texas serving 501(c)(3) organizations, setting strategic priorities and operational direction in partnership with the AFJ Law Program Director with little day-to-day supervision
• Serve as primary legal relationship holder for a diverse portfolio of nonprofit clients, functioning as trusted outside counsel and proactively identifying legal risk before issues escalate
• Exercise independent legal and strategic judgment across a broad, complex caseload with minimal supervision, escalating selectively and appropriately
• Navigate novel and high-stakes legal questions in Texas by rapidly assessing applicable law, consulting peer networks, and delivering well-reasoned guidance under time pressure

• Develop thorough understanding of clients’ mission, programs, governance structure, and strategic goals.
• Translate legal requirements and risk considerations into plain-language advice that is grounded in each client's mission and operationally actionable for nonprofit leadership.
• Identify legal vulnerabilities that could impede mission delivery and proactively offer preventive counsel.
• Stay up to date on federal and Texas state laws, emerging legal issues, and regulations related to nonprofit advocacy and nonprofit defense.

• Provide counsel on the boundaries and reporting of permissible lobbying and issue advocacy, helping clients maximize their advocacy activities within legal limits.
• Advise on voter registration, get-out-the-vote, candidate forums, and other nonpartisan election related activities, ensuring strict compliance with the § 501(c)(3) regulations.
• Provide legal guidance and review of written advocacy policies, internal tracking systems, and staff training frameworks.
• Advise on governance best practices related to 501(c)(3) compliance.
• Advise on public-facing material, including websites, reports, social media, and other communications.
• Provide legal guidance and risk assessments around programmatic and communications strategies.

• Proactively identify, engage, and develop relationships with local advocacy organizations and community partners to expand AFJ Law’s client base and deepen its commitment to our clients’ work.
• Interface with clients in person to support or conduct trainings, events, advocacy activities, and similar activities when needed.

• Maintain accurate, confidential client matter records and progress documentation consistent with professional responsibility obligations.
• Participate in intake and eligibility assessment of prospective client organizations.
• Contribute to AFJ Law’s legal resource library, practice guides, and template documents for use across client engagements.
• Represent AFJ Law at community events, nonprofit conferences, and bar association activities to build awareness and referral relationships.
• Support the Development team in fundraising and grant management efforts and provide information needed for reports to stakeholders such as foundations, AFJ board members, and others.
• Support AFJ’s commitment to advance equity in all aspects of the organization, and help create an organizational culture that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar admission in good standing in Texas; admission or eligibility for admission in DC.
• At least 7 years of legal experience, including providing legal advice to clients, with meaningful exposure to nonprofit law, tax-exempt organizations, or public-interest legal services.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound legal judgment to analyze complex issues, assess risk, and provide practical, mission-aligned recommendations that meet the unique needs and resource constraints of small nonprofit organizations.
• Expertise with federal nonprofit advocacy laws (i.e. tax code lobbying limits for public charities, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan advocacy) plus knowledge of related state laws in Texas.
• Familiarity with and respect for movement lawyering principles, including an ability to work collaboratively with advocacy organizations and community groups in support of their broader organizing goals.
• Demonstrated commitment to pro bono service, racial equity, and the nonprofit sector as a vehicle for social change.
• Established relationships with Texas advocacy organizations that could serve as AFJ Law clients.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyer audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and capacity to manage a diverse client caseload independently.
• Ability to respond quickly to questions and issues with succinct and practical advice and to provide legal counsel geared to the goals and values of nonprofits.
• Commitment to AFJ’s mission and goals.
• Commitment to cultivating an organizational culture that is equitable, inclusive, and respectful.

• Bilingual Spanish speaker.
• Experience advising nonprofits on lobbying compliance, public-policy advocacy, or election law.
• Familiarity with the progressive nonprofit landscape, state of nonprofit advocacy laws, and regulatory climate pertaining to nonprofit advocacy and tax status.

• Ability to pivot, prioritize, and understand the dynamic nature of this work
• Enjoy cultivating and deepening relationships with grassroots groups that are zealous and impassioned about the issue areas that they focus on
• Thrive in an environment where you are self-motivated and primarily work independently while contributing to a whole
• Understanding and ability to leverage the holistic nature of advocacy strategies

Compensation and Benefits

• Year 1 (0-12 months): Eleven (11) days of vacation each year (3.66 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 17 days
• Year 2-4: Sixteen (16) days of vacation each year (5.33 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 24 days
• Year 4+: Twenty-One (21 days) of vacation each year (7.0 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 32 days

Physical Demands