Family Law Staff Attorney

Essential Responsibilities And Duties

• Practice civil law for eligible clients in accordance with the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and consistent with office standards of practice.
• This will include handling a case load, as well as working with the Legal Services Team to run weekly legal advice clinics (remote and in-person) as appropriate and directed by the Director of Legal Services;
• Intake and staff cases, and assist in placement of cases with attorney volunteers.
• Identify mediators and attorneys ad litem for VLS cases.
• Aid in the recruitment of attorney volunteers for particular programs or projects as directed by the Director of Legal Services and in collaboration with the Director of Pro Bono Services.
• Provide advice and counsel to attorney volunteers handling pro bono cases, including but not limited to assistance with pleadings, research, case strategy, and court support when appropriate;
• Provide trauma-informed support, counsel, and resources to survivors of trauma and family violence.
• Advise and support volunteer attorneys who take on cases for survivors of family violence.
• Supervise and/or work with legal paraprofessionals and/or law students/VLS legal fellows as assigned;
• Commensurate with experience, consult, guide and answer questions of other staff members;
• Keep current on the state of the law and procedures within areas of law impacting applicants, clients, and the pro bono attorneys that volunteer through VLS;
• Congduct informal and formal training seminars for attorney volunteers on common poverty law and family law practice areas as needed;
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law, including publication, permissible legislative and rulemaking activities, media relations in accordance with VLS policy and applicable laws and regulations, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services;
• Participate in community legal education as directed by the Director of Legal Services.
• Prepare educational materials and/or make public presentations on relevant topics as assigned and participate in VLS outreach efforts;
• Fulfill all requirements necessary to remain in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Supreme Court, including but not limited to, compliance with the minimum requirements for Continuing Legal Education;
• Comply with all case reporting and grant requirements, including case activities, legislative and rulemaking, community education presentations, etc.
• Maintain relationships with other programs and agencies as requested by the Director of Legal Services, including, but not limited to, attending meetings of such programs and/or agencies;
• and Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• J.D. from an ABA-approved law school;
• Admission to the Texas State Bar;
• At least 2 years of experience practicing family law;
• Experience providing legal services to low-income individuals;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications;
• Ability to travel as needed.