Equal Justice Fellow

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: EJW Fellow - (Full-Time - 2 Year Contract)

CLOSING DATE: Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

LOCATION: San Angelo, Texas Hybrid/Remote

OVERVIEW: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks an Equal Justice Works Fellow with a demonstrated commitment to public interest law in the San Angelo, Texas office. In addition to providing daily representation in civil legal matters, the Fellow 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 persons, including community groups that are made up of or serve the indigent.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Fellow will implement the independent project to engage in affirmative litigation against "bad actor" landlords in the San Angelo service area and beyond when appropriate. The Fellow will engage in litigation and other advocacy on behalf of low-income individuals in housing matters. This includes legal advice, brief services and full representation. The Fellow will also design and conduct outreach and community legal education and collaborate 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. The Fellow may supervise and coordinate activities of legal, clerical, volunteer, or student workers. In short, the staff attorney is expected to manage a caseload involving substantial litigation and other justice-related advocacy, plan and attend legal clinics, and devise and participate in community legal education programs and outreach offered by LANWT.

In fulfilling this mission, the Fellow 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 in Texas.
• Strong understanding of Texas Family Code, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence.
• Prior legal services, public interest, or volunteer experience serving low-income individuals preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to think and plan strategically and to develop and implement projects.
• Possess a strong work ethic and a sense of accountability.
• Fluent in Spanish - both verbal and written is preferred.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Ability to engage in occasional travel throughout LANWT's service area.

SALARY: Current salary structure set by the EJW contract agreement.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package that includes paid sick, 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.

LEGAL AID OF NORTHWEST TEXAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY