Staff Attorney - Abilene

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Staff Attorney - Abilene

CLOSING DATE: Positions Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

LOCATIONS: Abilene, Texas

OVERVIEW: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks a dynamic, self-starting attorney who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law to provide direct legal services and resources to qualifying low-income persons at various locations in Abilene, Texas and locations surrounding the Abilene area. In addition to providing daily representation in civil legal matters, the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to identifying and taking advantage of opportunities for strategic advocacy and to engaging in outreach to and collaboration with low-income persons, including community groups that are made up of or serve the indigent.

DESCRIPTION: LANWT is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality free civil legal services to low-income persons in 114 counties in North and West Texas. Located in Abilene, Texas the Abilene office delivers civil legal services to the poor in the city and in several neighboring rural counties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: A staff attorney must be able to gather evidence, advise clients about their rights, draft legal documents, and conduct civil lawsuits. A staff attorney must interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence, as well as handle other tasks in representing clients. A staff attorney represents clients in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government. The staff attorney also interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and the client community. The staff attorney will provide legal assistance in areas of general civil law, including but not limited to: housing, foreclosure prevention, landlord-tenant, consumer, debt collection, family and probate with an emphasis on providing limited-scope legal assistance.

The staff attorney designs and carries out outreach and community legal education and works closely with the community and low-income community groups. The staff attorney will also work to foster supportive relationships with the local bar, area law schools and establish meaningful relationships with organizations. The staff attorney may supervise and coordinate activities of legal, clerical, volunteer, or student workers.

The staff attorney will participate in LANWT and statewide projects and meetings and ensure compliance with the requirements of all funding sources, 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed to practice law in Texas a minimum of 3 years preferred.
• Demonstrated, zealous commitment to public interest law, serving the indigent, or other relevant experience, including progressive litigation experience.
• Prior legal services, public interest, or volunteer experience serving low-income persons preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and to demonstrate and promote a positive work ethic and work environment.
• Detail oriented, efficient, organized and self-motivated.
• Skilled in management, leadership, mentoring and training.
• Ability to supervise and direct support staff effectively.
• Ability to develop and implement projects.
• Ability to professionally interact with clients and court staff in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment while maintaining client confidentiality, integrity, and discretion in the performance of all duties.
• Fluent in Spanish - both verbal and written is preferred.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.

COMPENSATION: Current entry-level salary for a new attorney is $62,000 per year. The salary for the successful applicant may be significantly higher, based on applicant's years of experience.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental and life insurance.

Please submit a cover letter expressing interest, a resume, and three professional references during the application process.

LEGAL AID OF NORTHWEST TEXAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY