Staff Attorney, Holistic Public Defense (Texas)

Neighborhood Defender Service Inc; San Marcos (TX); Hybrid; USD 79,145 - 92,030; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical and dental benefits

Retirement plan with company match up

Robust time off perks, paid parental

Job summary

Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is seeking a Staff Attorney in San Marcos, TX to serve as court-appointed counsel for indigent clients charged with crimes, enforcing the Sixth Amendment right to counsel with client-centered advocacy.

You will appear in all court proceedings, interview clients, file motions, prepare for trial, and collaborate with a team of social workers and investigators to pursue just outcomes and alternatives to incarceration. Texas Bar licensure is required.

Qualifications

• Commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity, and social justice.
• Ability to build relationships with people of varying identities, incomes, races and ethnicities.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills for high caseloads.
• Experience representing clients in criminal cases and knowledge of procedure from arraignments to sentencing.
• Presents facts and arguments verbally and in writing; effective negotiation skills.
• Track record guiding casework and projects; ability to push through roadblocks.
• Experience representing clients with mental health issues.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team and independently with minimal oversight.
• Establish and maintain relationships with clients, agencies, and the public.
• Knowledge of Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Texas Bar license and criminal court experience.

Responsibilities

• Appear in all court proceedings for each client through case conclusion.
• Interview clients and families, conduct legal research, write letters and memoranda.
• File motions, briefs, and related documents timely.
• Prepare cases for trial, organize evidence and materials.
• Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations and arguments.
• Communicate clearly with clients under stress and coordinate with the team.
• Work with interdisciplinary team to advocate for alternatives to incarceration.
• Visit clients in custody to conduct assessments and interviews.
• Maintain accurate confidential client records in the case management system.
• Obtain and review client records; prepare summaries.
• Adhere to laws and confidentiality regulations (HIPAA, etc.).
• Coordinate with supervising attorney on case matters; demonstrate cultural competence.

Skills

Criminal justice advocacy

Client communication

Organizational skills

Legal research

Cultural competence

Teamwork and independence

Education

Texas Bar license

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is seeking a Staff Attorney in San Marcos, TX to serve as court-appointed counsel for indigent clients charged with crimes, enforcing the Sixth Amendment right to counsel with client-centered advocacy.

You will appear in all court proceedings, interview clients, file motions, prepare for trial, and collaborate with a team of social workers and investigators to pursue just outcomes and alternatives to incarceration. Texas Bar licensure is required.