Staff Attorney

Texas Advocacy Project•Austin, TX

7d•$84,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Texas Advocacy Project is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to ending dating and domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking in Texas. The organization empowers survivors through free legal services and access to the justice system, and advances prevention through public outreach and education. The staff attorney will provide a range of legal services to TAP's clients, including legal advice and counsel on their statewide legal line, drafting legal pleadings for pro se clients, directly representing clients, participating in statewide advocacy efforts, and performing other civil legal services as required.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice law in Texas.
Eight years minimum legal experience.
Ability to assist clients with legal issues relating to all areas of civil law as it pertains to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Must be able to provide information to clients in crisis and be able to help individuals in a compassionate and respectful manner.
Ability to provide pro se litigants with legal advice and limited representation in all matters relating to domestic violence and sexual assault and draft pleadings and related documents.
Knowledge of legal issues relating to domestic violence and/or sexual assault is required.
Must have reliable transportation.
Must be able to travel across the state and work some weekends.
Must be familiar with databases and the Microsoft Suite.

Nice To Haves

At least eight years of litigation experience in family, civil, and/or criminal law.
Working knowledge of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Texas Family Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and Texas Penal Code.
Houston area Attorneys are encouraged to apply.
Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides a continuum of legal services (legal assistance and training, information and referral, assistance with Crime Victims’ Compensation and Texas SAVNS, direct representation, assisted self-representation) to clients who have been victims of domestic and dating violence, child abuse sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking.
Provides legal advice and counsel and referral via legal lines and obtains protective orders and other court orders necessary to promote the victim's safety and to reduce the likelihood of re-victimization.
Works state-wide with domestic violence and sexual assault victims, law enforcement, as well as arraignment judges in Travis County to help victims of family violence understand their legal options after the batterer has been arrested, and when needed assists with processing MOEPs, including assistance with CVC and SAVNS.
Travel and working irregular hours including weekends is occasionally required for this position.
Assists in overall office responsibilities including correspondence, working with volunteers, and basic office tasks, and other duties as required.