Position Summary:

The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing legal assistance to eligible clients. Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASSA) provides legal services and makes relevant referrals to partner agencies. LASSA is a statewide network of non-profit organizations and agencies dedicated to serving survivors of sexual assault. Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) serves the LASSA network by providing statewide intake and referrals to other LASSA partners. TLSC operates a legal hotline for survivors who have legal needs stemming from sexual assault or abuse.

This attorney in this position is expected to:

Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards as a member of the State Bar; adhere to the American Bar Association Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid; embrace and support TLSC’s overall mission; and comply with all grant requirements, regulations, standards, policies, and confidentiality requirements.

This is a grant funded position.

Essential Functions:

• Provide high quality legal assistance to eligible clients, including in-depth counseling and advice throughout the course of complex litigation.
• Analyze legal and societal problems and devise savvy strategic plans to eliminate social injustices while often utilizing outside-the-box thinking.
• execute intake interviews, confirm eligibility for services and check for conflicts of interest according to TLSC policy.
• Write sophisticated complaints, petitions, motions, memos, and briefs on behalf of clients as well as respond to discovery to fully extract information from defendants and prepare for dispositive motions and trial.
• Communicate with third parties, media, and public on behalf of clients to resolve legal problems and to advocate on behalf of clients and the TLSC mission.
• Prepare for, attend, assist, argue, and conduct depositions, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Travel to designated counties in the state of Texas to conduct outreach and clinic activities, and legal representation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Current knowledge and expertise of the law and legal system, including areas that impact survivors of sexual assault.
• High-level organizational skills.
• Exceptional listening, verbal, and written communications skills.
• Strong time management and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with (or the ability to learn) LegalServer (TLSC’s case management system).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Understanding of grant requirements and associated reporting needs.
• Commitment to promoting inclusion, equity, and cultural responsiveness, and to protecting the rights of marginalized and underserved populations.
• Ability to travel to out-of-town locations that include overnight stays.
• Ability to work with clients in a patient, trauma-informed and non-judgmental manner.
• Ability to enter information into case management system accurately.

Supervisor Responsibilities: Not applicable to this position.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• J.D. Degree
• Two (2) years law experience assisting victims of sexual assault.

Licensure and/or Certification: Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work that involves sitting most of the time.
• Occasional bending, squatting, and kneeling.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force as needed, at times to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.