What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supervising Attorney - Family Unit position at Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas?
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION: Supervising Attorney – Family Unit (Full-Time Position)
CLOSING DATE: Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled
LOCATION: Hybrid/Remote – Fort Worth, 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 in 114 counties in 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: LANWT seeks a dynamic, self-starting individual with vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law to help manage its Fort Worth office. In addition to providing daily representation in general civil and family legal matters, the successful attorney should demonstrate a commitment to identifying and taking advantage of opportunities for strategic advocacy and engaging in community outreach to and in collaboration with low-income individuals, including community groups that are made up of income eligible members or that serve the indigent.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The principal duties of the Supervising Attorney will be to oversee the office’s litigation and other advocacy, to plan and implement outreach to and collaboration with members of the low-income community and community groups, and to foster supportive relationships with the local bar. The Supervising Attorney will also handle his/her own caseload proportionate to their management and administrative duties. Core responsibilities include:
- Conduct case staffing.
- Review and assign new client applications for appropriate assistance.
- Monitor open cases for activity and review closed cases for proper recordkeeping, file maintenance, grant compliance and overall quality of service provided.
- Conduct regular case reviews of open cases.
- Provide co-counseling assistance, training, mentorship to staff attorneys and promote a positive work environment to all staff.
- Ensure staff comply with grant requirements, including legal work, goals, objectives, timely submission of reports, funding applications, budget preparations, proposed numerical outcomes and outreach.
- Participate in management meetings and projects.
- Establish and maintain relationships with client groups, community groups, social service agencies, and local bar associations.
- Conduct employee performance evaluations and handle corrective action or disciplinary issues with the assistance of the managing attorney.
- Handle client complaints, processes administrative items and issues related to timekeeping, travel, leave, check requests, training requests, payroll, etc.
- Other duties which may from time-to-time be assigned by the Managing Attorney, Deputy Director and Chief Executive Officer.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Licensed to practice law in Texas.
- A minimum of 5 years relevant legal experience and a demonstrated, zealous commitment to public interest law, serving the indigent, or other relevant legal experience.
- Strong understanding of Texas Family Law required.
- Strong understanding of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence required.
- Demonstrated trial and advocacy skills with progressive litigation experience.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
- Prior management or leadership experience is preferred.
- Experience coordinating community services, partners, and education.
- The ability to think and plan strategically and to develop and implement projects.
- Willingness to travel throughout the LANWT service area.
- Ability to have a flexible work schedule.
- Possess a strong work ethic and a sense of accountability.
- Excellent attendance record.
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: Based on applicant’s years of relevant 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 at least 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