Attorney, Education - Rural Justice Initiative, North/NW, TX

Disability Rights Texas•Plainview, TX

17h

About The Position

Disability Rights Texas is hiring an Education Attorney for its Rural Justice Initiative (RJI), assigned to the North/NW Texas region. This project-funded, time-limited position supports expanded access to civil legal services for low-income Texans in designated rural communities and legal-desert counties. The position is associated with a five-year project, and continued employment depends on the continuation of the project, project funding, and organizational need; it is not intended to be permanent beyond the project or available funding. The Education Attorney receives complaints and provides legal advice and representation concerning the services and treatment of students with disabilities in public schools. Work includes client interviews, record review, eligibility documentation, legal research, negotiation, and representation in administrative hearings and state and federal court proceedings. The attorney may provide legal assistance and direction to Advocates and ongoing technical assistance to private attorneys representing students with disabilities. The role also includes preparing and delivering education and training about Disability Rights Texas services and the legal rights of students with disabilities. The attorney must live within or sufficiently near the assigned service area to maintain a regular, meaningful local presence. The role requires availability for in-person client services, outreach, legal clinics, partner meetings, court and administrative proceedings, and other project activities throughout the region. Regular travel in rural Texas is required. Work may take place in DRTx or partner offices, courthouses, hearing locations, schools, libraries, community organizations, clinics, events, and other community settings. The position uses computers, telephones, videoconferencing, case-management systems, and other communication tools. Duties may be performed seated, standing, or in an alternative position; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in Texas and in good standing.
At least three years of relevant legal experience.
Experience providing legal services, advocacy, or representation to low-income or underserved populations, or demonstrated ability to develop that expertise.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage legal matters and provide client representation.
Ability to develop working knowledge across multiple areas of disability-related civil law rather than practice exclusively in one substantive area.
Knowledge of federal and Texas laws affecting people with disabilities, or ability to acquire that knowledge within a reasonable period.
Ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop effective case strategies.
Strong legal research, writing, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
Ability to communicate legal concepts effectively to clients, community members, attorneys, and non-attorney partners.
Ability to develop professional relationships and establish credibility in rural communities.
Ability to work independently while communicating and collaborating effectively with supervisors and colleagues located elsewhere in the state.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, judgment, and follow-through.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, substantial travel, client responsibilities, and project deadlines.
Must reside within or sufficiently near the assigned geographic service area to meet local-presence and community-engagement requirements.
Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout rural Texas, including to communities with limited transportation options, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to attend in-person court proceedings, administrative hearings, clinics, outreach events, client meetings, and community activities within the assigned service area.
Ability to maintain Texas law licensure and comply with applicable continuing legal education requirements.
Ability to collaborate with attorneys and staff at other Rural Justice Initiative partner organizations.
Ability to work effectively with people from diverse socioeconomic, geographic, cultural, linguistic, and disability backgrounds.
Commitment to high-quality legal services for low-income Texans with disabilities and increased access to justice in underserved rural communities.

Nice To Haves

Spanish bilingual proficiency, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

Provide legal services and advice to students with disabilities and their parents, including advocacy, negotiation, mediation, litigation, and administrative or court proceedings.
Respond to requests for assistance and determine eligibility for services.
Provide direction and technical assistance to Advocates when appropriate.
Follow agency policies and procedures for client interviews, case records, investigations, case advocacy, and case files.
Develop and maintain a caseload consistent with agency policies and expectations for litigation.
Provide ongoing technical assistance to private attorneys representing students with disabilities.
Develop materials and conduct selected education and training presentations on DRTx services and legal rights issues.
Develop case strategies using appropriate legal concepts and precedent, and seek creative solutions and outcomes.
Maintain effective communication with employees, clients, and the public at individual, team, and organizational levels.
Travel as needed to provide services and participate in project activities throughout the assigned service area.
Prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities and project deadlines in a timely manner.
Maintain personal credibility and serve effectively as a partner and advisor inside and outside the organization.
Maintain thorough and complete records.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, community members, and employees.
Apply the organization’s vision and values in work-related activities and interactions.
Perform other job-related duties consistent with the position’s scope and the purposes of the Rural Justice Initiative.