Staff Attorney - Del Rio, Texas

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Del Rio (TX); On-site; USD 67,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

Loan repayment assistance

Paid time off

Holidays and family leave

401(k) plan

Professional development

Travel support

Spanish language incentives

Job summary

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) seeks skilled attorneys who want to fight for people who need an advocate. You will manage your own caseload, interview clients, draft pleadings, and argue in state and federal court while collaborating with paralegals and other advocates.

We value bilingual candidates, public interest commitment, and the willingness to learn new areas of law as you serve communities along the Rio Grande Valley, border regions, and rural Texas with a strong, mission-driven team.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Texas law license or eligibility to waive into Texas.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities.
• Willingness to learn new areas of law and take on challenging cases.
• Strong interpersonal and client communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law or serving communities with limited access to justice.
• Willingness to work collaboratively while taking responsibility for own cases and projects.

Responsibilities

• Represent low-income clients in civil legal matters from intake through resolution.
• Conduct client interviews and investigations.
• Research and analyze complex legal issues.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, transactional documents, and other legal materials.
• Negotiate with opposing counsel and government agencies.
• Represent clients in hearings, trials, and administrative proceedings.
• Develop litigation strategies and pursue affirmative and defensive litigation.

Skills

J.D. from accredited law school

Texas law license / bar eligibility

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Client communication

Public interest commitment

Collaborative work

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Position Description

About Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) is the largest provider of civil legal services in Texas and one of the largest legal aid organizations in the country. Our attorneys serve low-income clients and communities across 68 counties in Texas, as well as migrant and seasonal farmworkers throughout Texas and six other southern states.

We practice in more than 40 areas of civil law, including housing, consumer protection, domestic violence and family law, public benefits, employment, education, environmental justice, veterans advocacy, disaster recovery, and community economic development.

Our work ranges from individual representation to complex litigation and systemic advocacy. We represent clients facing serious legal challenges, including tenants fighting to stay in their homes, workers seeking the wages they’ve earned, survivors seeking safety, families navigating public benefits and education systems, and communities working to overcome barriers and protect their rights.

The Opportunity

TRLA is looking for sharp, dedicated attorneys who want to use their legal skills to fight for people who need an advocate.

Our attorneys handle their own cases, work directly with clients and communities, and have opportunities to litigate in state and federal court, practice before administrative agencies, negotiate with opposing counsel, conduct community education, and pursue broader legal strategies.

You will work alongside experienced attorneys, paralegals, and other advocates. TRLA provides substantial support and encourages attorneys to take ownership of their cases, develop their litigation skills, and pursue creative strategies to achieve results for their clients.

We are particularly interested in attorneys willing to work in communities where the need for legal services is greatest: the Rio Grande Valley, Texas-Mexico border, Gulf Coast, and rural Texas.

What You Will Do

Depending on your team and practice area, responsibilities may include:

• Represent low-income clients in civil legal matters from intake through resolution.
• Conduct client interviews and investigations.
• Research and analyze complex legal issues.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, transactional documents, and other legal materials.
• Negotiate with opposing counsel, government agencies, landlords, employers, creditors, and other parties.
• Represent clients in hearings, trials, administrative proceedings, and other contested matters.
• Develop litigation strategies and pursue affirmative and defensive litigation in state and federal court.
• Work with community organizations and other partners to identify legal needs and develop solutions.
• Conduct community legal education and outreach.
• Collaborate with attorneys and advocates across TRLA's practice areas.
• Manage a caseload while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for excellent lawyers who care about the people they represent.

Strong Candidates Will Bring

• A J.D. from an accredited law school.
• A Texas law license, eligibility to waive into Texas, or the ability to pass the next available Texas Bar Exam.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• The ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities.
• A willingness to learn new areas of law and take on challenging cases.
• Strong interpersonal and client communication skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest law, legal aid, or serving communities with limited access to justice.
• A willingness to work collaboratively while taking responsibility for your own cases and projects.

Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred for many positions. Experience working with low-income clients, communities of color, rural communities, or other historically underserved populations is also valued.

Prior legal aid experience is not required. We are interested in good lawyers who are ready to learn, willing to fight for their clients, and committed to doing the work.

Compensation And Benefits

TRLA offers a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries and comprehensive benefits package, including:

Salary of $66,929 to $91,067+ per year, depending on experience.

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Law school loan repayment assistance.
• Generous paid time off.
• 14 paid holidays plus two floating holidays.
• 401(k) profit-sharing plan.
• Parental and family leave.
• Flexible spending account.
• Continuing legal education and professional development.
• Training and travel support.
• Additional incentives for Spanish language proficiency.

TRLA also supports new attorneys transitioning into practice, including assistance with bar-related expenses for eligible new graduates.

Work Location

TRLA is committed to serving clients where the need is greatest. Regular, in-person attendance is an essential function of employment, and attorneys are expected to work from their assigned TRLA office.

Opportunities may be available throughout TRLA's service area, with particular need in the Rio Grande Valley, along the Texas-Mexico border, the Gulf Coast, and rural communities.

Come practice law where it matters.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.