Disciplinary Rules and Staff Attorney

NACBA; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Bar of Texas seeks a staff attorney for its Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda. This role involves providing legal support, coordinating the disciplinary rule proposal process, and ensuring compliance with laws. The ideal candidate possesses extensive legal experience, strong research and writing skills, and is adept in legal technology. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence legal reforms and work with various stakeholders in the legal community.

Qualifications

• Must be a member of the State Bar of Texas in good standing.
• Five years of legal experience preferred.
• Requires knowledge of Texas Rules of Professional Conduct and Disciplinary Procedure.

Responsibilities

• Serves as staff attorney to the Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda.
• Coordinates all aspects of the disciplinary rule proposal process.
• Prepares and manages the Committee’s annual budget and report.

Skills

Legal research

Effective writing skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Teamwork skills

Education

Member of State Bar of Texas

Five years of legal experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

General Description

Serves as the staff attorney to the Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda. Provides legal support to the Committee and coordinates all aspects of the disciplinary rule proposal process. Works under the supervision of the Chief Legal Counsel with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The position involves frequent communication with Committee members, State Bar staff, State Bar members, members and staff of the Texas Supreme Court, and members of the public. Assists the Office of Legal Counsel in ensuring State Bar compliance with federal and state laws, including Keller v. State Bar of California, 496 U.S. 1 (1990), McDonald v. Longley, 4 F.4th 229 (5th Cir. 2021), and Boudreaux v. Louisiana State Bar Association, et al., 86 F.4th 620 (5th Cir. 2023), reviews and approves State Bar communications and contracts from its various departments, committees, and sections, and assists legal counsel on special projects as assigned. Works on various legal matters including but not limited to researching and analyzing federal and state laws, case law, rules governing courts and the professional conduct of lawyers and judges, policies, procedures, legislation, and systems that affect the State Bar. Assists as needed with public information requests or other special legal projects. Reports directly to the Chief Legal Counsel.

Primary Functions

Serves as staff attorney to the Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda.

Provides legal support to the Committee, including research, writing and drafting related to proposed revisions to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Provides counsel to the Committee on rule proposals and the rule proposal process.

Coordinates all aspects of the disciplinary rule proposal process, including timelines, meetings, publications, public comments, public hearings, Committee website content, and reports to the Texas Supreme Court and State Bar Board of Directors. Prepares public meeting agendas and materials. Submits proposed rules for publication in the Texas Bar Journal and Texas Register. Prepares a substantial amount of written materials that are posted on the Committee website. Participates in planning, outreach, public forums, and communications related to a referendum vote, including preparing and coordinating a substantial amount of written materials. Prepares emails for distribution to Committee email subscribers and general Bar membership.

Attends and actively participates in regular Committee meetings, responds to requests for information from Committee members and others, and communicates with State Bar staff, Texas Supreme Court Staff, State Bar members and members of the public. Attends State Bar Board of Directors meetings and Board subcommittee meetings as requested and responds to questions from Board members and others.

Prepares, submits, and manages the Committee’s annual budget.

Prepares and submits the Committee’s annual report.

Reviews and approves State Bar communications for compliance with applicable law.

Reviews and approves State Bar contracts for compliance with state and federal law, internal State Bar policies, and any other applicable guidance from Chief Legal Counsel.

Position Requirements

Must be a member of the State Bar of Texas in good standing. Five years of legal experience preferred. Requires knowledge of Texas Rules of Professional Conduct/Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, and Texas Rules of Civil Procedure/Texas Rules of Evidence. Effective legal research and writing skills required. Requires professional demeanor, good diplomacy and communication skills, and strong organizational, planning, strong teamwork and interpersonal skills. Requires experience in research and analysis, as well as reviewing and editing documents using redline in Word and PDF formats. Position requires technological competency, including experience using Microsoft Word, Adobe, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook, etc. Effective legal research and writing skills required. Occasional travel required.