What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney - Family position at Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas?
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION: Staff Attorney (Full-Time) Hybrid
CLOSING DATE: Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled
LOCATION: Amarillo, Texas
Abilene, Amarillo, Brownwood, Dallas, Denton, Farmers Branch, Fort Worth, Lubbock, McKinney, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, San Angelo, Waxahachie, Weatherford, Wichita Falls Texas
ABOUT: 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 access to justice and improve the lives of low-income communities by providing high-quality legal representation, strategic litigation, valuable legal advice and meaningful collaborations, outreach, and community education.
OVERVIEW: LANWT seeks a dynamic, self‑motivated attorney with vision, initiative, and a strong commitment to public interest law to fill a staff attorney position in its Amarillo, Texas office. In addition to providing daily representation in family 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 individuals, including community groups that are made up of or serve the indigent. LANWT particularly seeks an attorney interested in working with domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse or neglect survivors.
Applicants may be considered for more than one position and location. Candidates will be able to indicate preferred office location(s) and area(s) of interest during the application process.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Staff attorneys are responsible for delivering high-quality civil legal services to low‑income clients. Core responsibilities include:
- Provide high-quality legal representation to low-income and indigent clients.
- Interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence and trauma-informed practices.
- Conduct legal research, gather evidence, and advise clients on their legal rights and options.
- Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
- Represent clients in court and before administrative or quasi-judicial agencies.
- Manage a caseload involving significant litigation and justice-related advocacy.
- Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and community partners.
- Provide legal assistance in family law matters, including but not limited to:
- Divorce proceedings
- Child custody matters
- Protective orders
- Child support and enforcement proceedings
- Staff attorneys may work in one or more civil practice areas based on office needs and experience, including but not limited to:
- Housing law
- Family law
- Consumer rights and bankruptcy
- Employment, including tax law
- Public benefits and Social Security
- Probate
- Foreclosure prevention
- Education and health law
- Other general civil legal areas
- Design, develop, and participate in community legal education and outreach initiatives.
- Build and maintain meaningful relationships with community organizations, particularly those serving low-income and underserved populations.
- Collaborate with community partners to advance LANWT’s mission of reducing poverty through equitable access to civil justice.
- Participate in local, regional, and statewide networks, including those serving survivors of sexual assault and trauma.
- Participate in strategic advocacy efforts that advance LANWT’s mission of reducing poverty through equitable access to civil justice.
- Refer clients to appropriate services and resources within these networks.
- Attend evening legal clinics as needed.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of legal assistants, clerical staff, volunteers, or law students as assigned.
- Maintain a working knowledge of grant and funding requirements to ensure compliance with program obligations.
- Follow LANWT policies and procedures.
- Adhere to all applicable professional and ethical standards, including:
- Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct
- Texas Lawyers’ Creed
- ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Licensed to practice law in Texas or awaiting Texas Bar reciprocity approval.
- 2 years prior experience handling contested family law cases preferred.
- Strong understanding of the Texas Family Code, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rules of Evidence.
- Prior legal services, public interest, or volunteer experience serving low-income individuals preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage a caseload, think strategically, and implement projects effectively.
- Strong work ethic, accountability, and professionalism.
- Cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving low-income communities.
- Reliable attendance and ability to engage in occasional travel throughout LANWT’s service area.
- Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) preferred.
This position requires regular use of a computer and standard office equipment, occasional lifting and moving of files or materials, and periodic travel to courts, community locations, and organizational meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
SALARY: Current entry-level salary for a new attorney is $73,815 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, vision and life insurance.
Please submit a cover letter expressing interest, a resume, and three professional references during the application process.
LANWT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LANWT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
Salary : $73,815 - $110,112