Staff Attorney, NDS Texas

Neighborhood Defender Service Inc•San Marcos, TX

112d•$79,145 - $99,950

About The Position

The Staff Attorney serves as court-appointed legal counsel for indigent clients charged with crimes. The role enforces clients’ Sixth Amendment right to counsel and provides zealous, client-centered advocacy throughout the criminal justice process. The attorney works with an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and administrators, using a holistic approach that addresses legal, social, and systemic challenges affecting clients.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity, and social justice, with a substantive understanding of biases affecting clients.
Ability to quickly build relationships with people of varying identities, income levels, races, and ethnicities.
Strong organizational and administrative skills to manage a high caseload and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Experience representing clients in criminal cases and knowledge of criminal procedure from arraignment through trial and sentencing.
Ability to present facts, precedents, and arguments verbally and in writing, and to negotiate effectively for favorable outcomes.
Track record of strategically guiding casework, projects, or relationships, exercising sound judgment, and overcoming roadblocks to achieve goals.
Experience and skill connecting with and representing clients with mental health issues.
Excellent interpersonal, analytical, writing, and communication skills.
Ability to work cooperatively on a team and independently with minimal oversight.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, outside agencies, county employees and officials, and the public.
Knowledge of Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office Suite.
License to practice law in Texas and admission to the Texas Bar, with experience in criminal courts.

Nice To Haves

Spanish language fluency.

Responsibilities

Appear in all court proceedings for each client through the conclusion of the case.
Interview clients and their families; conduct legal research; and write pre-pleading letters, motions, and pre-sentencing memoranda.
File motions, briefs, and related documents frequently and in a timely manner.
Prepare cases for trial and collect, organize, and prepare evidence and other legal materials.
Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations and arguments in criminal cases.
Communicate clearly and responsively with clients, including clients experiencing significant stress.
Work with team members to advocate for reduced sentences and alternatives to incarceration by gathering and analyzing mitigation information, researching options, and writing memoranda to judges and prosecutors.
Advocate orally on behalf of clients to judges, programs, and prosecutors.
Visit clients in custody to conduct initial assessments, screenings, and interviews.
Collaborate with social workers, investigators, and other non-attorney advocates to determine case strategy.
Maintain accurate, confidential client records and document case interactions and interventions promptly in the case management system.
Obtain and review client records from relevant sources and prepare record summaries.
Comply with applicable federal and state laws and agency policies and procedures, including HIPAA and other confidentiality regulations.
Communicate promptly and professionally with the supervising attorney about case-related matters.
Demonstrate cultural competence, awareness, and respect for diverse cultures and individual differences.