What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney 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: North and West Texas
Abilene, Amarillo, Brownwood, Dallas, Denton, Farmers Branch, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Mckinney, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, San Angelo, Waxahachie, Weatherford, Wichita Falls Texas
ABOUT LANWT:
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.
JOB OVERVIEW:
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks dynamic, self‑motivated attorneys with vision, initiative, and a strong commitment to public interest law to join our team as Staff Attorneys. We have multiple openings across various branch offices and practice areas throughout our North and West Texas service area.
Applicants may be considered for more than one position and location, and 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:
- Interviewing clients and witnesses with cultural competence.
- Conducting legal research, gathering evidence, and advising clients on their legal rights.
- Drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
- Representing clients in court and before administrative or quasi‑judicial agencies.
- Community outreach and engagement
- Interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and community partners.
- Maintains a working knowledge of grant and funding requirements to ensure compliance obligations are met.
Staff Attorneys may work in one or more civil practice areas, depending on office needs and candidate experience. Current openings may include areas such as:
- Housing, including landlord‑tenant and environmental 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
In addition to casework, attorneys participate in strategic advocacy, community outreach, and legal education initiatives to advance LANWT’s mission. Depending on placement, responsibilities may also include supervising legal assistants, support staff, volunteers, or law students, as well as participating in evening legal clinics and community events as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Licensed to practice law in Texas (or awaiting Texas Bar exam results/reciprocity approval).
- Strong understanding of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law or serving low‑income communities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to think strategically, manage a caseload, and implement projects effectively.
- Ability to manage emotions well and handle interactions calmly and professionally with clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and judges.
- Strong work ethic, accountability, and professionalism.
- The ability to work collaboratively with a team
- The ability to work effectively with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences.
- The ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language.
- Reliable attendance and ability to travel occasionally for work-related activities.
- Prior experience handling litigation or contested matters preferred.
- Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) REQUIRED.
This position requires regular use of a computer, occasional lifting of files or materials, and travel to courts and community locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
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, 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. 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