Staff Attorney - Community Lawyering Centers

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas•Dallas, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 justice for all by addressing the civil legal needs of vulnerable Texans through direct representation, advocacy, and community collaboration. LANWT seeks a dynamic, self-starting attorney who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law to provide legal services to qualifying low-income individuals and supervise law students enrolled in the University of North Texas College of Law (UNTCOL) Community Lawyering Centers (CLC). The CLCs are centers located in the Dallas community that provide legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals through a collaboration between LANWT and UNTCOL. In addition to providing daily representation in general civil and family legal matters, the successful attorney should demonstrate a commitment to identifying and taking advantage of opportunities for strategic advocacy and engaging in community outreach to and in collaboration with low-income persons, including community groups made up of income eligible members or that serve the low-income community.

Requirements

Licensed to practice law in Texas for a minimum of 3 years.
A demonstrated, zealous commitment to public interest law, serving the indigent, or other relevant legal experience, with experience and proven skills in progressive litigation.
Strong understanding of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence required.
Excellent legal research and legal writing skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.
Readiness to have a flexible or alternate work schedule, including occasional evening hours and Saturdays.
Excellent attendance record.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in education, leadership and/or management preferred.
Experience in mentoring and training.
Experience coordinating community services, partners and education.
The ability to think and plan strategically and to develop and implement projects.
Fluent in Spanish – both verbal and written is preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in the collaboration between LANWT and UNTCOL by working with UNTCOL faculty to operate the CLC.
Work with other LANWT attorneys and staff supporting the CLC.
Work with UNTCOL faculty to directly supervise UNTCOL students enrolled in the CLC course.
Supervise support staff.
Plan and implement outreach to and in collaboration with members of the low-income community and community groups.
Foster supportive relationships with the local bar.
Serve as an Adjunct Professor for UNTCOL.
Provide training, mentoring and supervision to law student attorneys practicing with temporary trial cards.
Participate in the student evaluations for academic credit, as requested.
Participate in UNTCOL, LANWT and statewide projects and meetings.
Devise and participate in community legal education programs and outreach offered by LANWT and the UNTCOL.
Ensure compliance with all funding sources.
Gather evidence.
Advise clients about their rights.
Draft legal documents.
Conduct civil lawsuits and co-counsel cases with other CLC staff attorneys.
Interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence.
Handle other tasks in representing clients.
Represent clients in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and the client community.
Provide legal assistance in areas of general civil law, including but not limited to employment, housing, landlord-tenant, consumer, probate, family, special education, social security, and public benefits.
Design and carry out outreach and community legal education.
Work closely with UNTCOL, the community and low-income community groups and other LANWT offices to further LANWT’s mission of reducing poverty by providing equitable access to the civil justice system.
Supervise and coordinate legal, clerical, volunteer, and student activities.
Provide high-quality representation to indigent clients in accordance with LANWT’s policies and procedures and with an attorney’s responsibilities under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer’s Creed, and the American Bar Association’s Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor.