Supervising Attorney - Community Revitalization Project (San Benito)

Company: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Location: San Benito
Posted on: June 9, 2021

Job Description:

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTPOSITION: Supervising Attorney - Community Revitalization ProjectCLOSING DATE: Position Immediately Available and Closed When FilledLOCATION: Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan AreaOVERVIEW: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks a dynamic, self-starting attorney who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law benefiting low-income communities for its Community Revitalization Project (CRP). The Supervising Attorney will supervise a team of staff attorneys, paralegals and support staff throughout LANWT's service area and be responsible for providing legal services, advocacy and transactional work in the areas of environmental justice and/or affordable fair housing; including: Addressing environmental injustices, including but not limited to, exposure to high level of pollutants, health impacts related to exposure to pollutants, resulting community deterioration; and protecting communities from environmental hazards. Ensuring that the low-income community has the right to meaningful input on matters affecting their neighborhoods and promoting environmental justice in low-income communities. Increasing access to fair housing; removing barriers to developing and maintaining affordable housing for individuals; educating communities regarding fair housing issues, eliminating discriminatory housing practices and ensuring the affordability, accessibility and integration of public housing, subsidized housing and private housing.DESCRIPTION: LANWT is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality free civil legal services to low-income persons in 114 counties in North and West Texas.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The principal duties of the Supervising Attorney will be to oversee LANWT's environmental justice and affordable fair housing focus of the CRP. The Supervising Attorney will provide supervision to the team providing direct legal services to qualifying low-income individuals, community groups, meeting regularly with community groups and community organizers, assessing emerging needs of low-income communities, advising clients and community groups about their rights, drafting legal documents, conducting civil lawsuits, engaging in administrative advocacy before quasi-judicial tribunals and governmental agencies, and developing strategies for environmental justice and affordable fair housing in low-income communities. The Supervising Attorney must interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence, as well as handle other tasks in representing clients and client groups. The Supervising Attorney will also interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and the client community. The Supervising Attorney will design and conduct outreach and community legal education and work closely with the community and low-income community groups to further LANWT's mission of reducing poverty by providing equitable access to the civil justice system and supporting the initiatives of the CRP.The Supervising Attorney will work closely with the Managing Attorney of the CRP and assist with coordinating the activities of the CRP team staff, review and assign new client applications for assistance, co-counseling cases, as appropriate, and with the assistance of the Director of Litigation, participate in LANWT and statewide projects and meetings; ensure compliance with requirements of funding sources; oversee general administrative matters; and handle staff evaluations, discipline and respond to client complaints. The Supervising Attorney will assist in maintaining relationships with other legal services programs, non-profit organizations serving low-income populations and related agencies. The Supervising Attorney is expected to handle a caseload involving litigation and other justice-related advocacy proportionate to project management duties, periodically attend evening legal clinics and meetings, and assist in devising and participating in community legal education programs and outreach offered by fulfilling this mission, the Supervising Attorney will provide high-quality representation to indigent clients in accordance with LANWT's policies and procedures and with an attorney's responsibilities under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer's Creed, and the American Bar Association's Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor.QUALIFICATIONS: Licensed to practice law a minimum of 5 years, preferably in Texas or eligible for immediate admission to the Texas bar by reciprocity. A demonstrated, zealous commitment to public interest law, serving the indigent or other relevant legal experience. Extensive experience and proven litigation skills in the area of environmental justice and/or affordable fair housing. Federal court litigation experience preferred. Ability to demonstrate and promote a positive work ethic and work environment and provide mentorship and training to staff. 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. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills. Fluent in Spanish - both verbal and written is preferred. Willingness to travel throughout the LANWT service area. Readiness to have a flexible work schedule, including commitments to evening hours and some Saturdays. Excellent attendance PENSATION: Based on applicant's years of relevant experience.BENEFITS: 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 a list of references during the application process.LEGAL AID OF NORTHWEST TEXAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERVETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY Associated topics: attorney, customer, criminal law, firm, lawyer, law office, law practice, legal, legal office, litigation

Keywords: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Brownsville , Supervising Attorney - Community Revitalization Project (San Benito), Other , San Benito, Texas