Staff Attorney - Hybrid Remote

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas; Amarillo (TX); Remote; USD 74,000; Full time

Job summary

An established public interest law firm seeks a passionate attorney to serve low-income clients in Amarillo. This dynamic role involves providing high-quality civil legal services, engaging in strategic advocacy, and collaborating with community groups. The successful candidate will handle a diverse caseload, including housing, family, and consumer law, while actively participating in outreach and legal education initiatives. Join a mission-driven team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those in need, with excellent benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Paid sick leave

Vacation and holidays

Retirement plan

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney with experience in civil law and litigation.
• Strong communication skills and cultural competence required.

Responsibilities

• Gather evidence, advise clients, and draft legal documents.
• Represent clients in court and provide legal assistance in civil law.
• Conduct outreach and community legal education programs.

Skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Cultural competence

Fluency in Spanish

Understanding of Texas Rules of Civil Procedure

Understanding of Texas Rules of Evidence

Education

Licensed to practice law in Texas

Job description

CLOSING DATE : Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

LOCATION : Hybrid Remote - Amarillo, Texas

OVERVIEW : Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks a dynamic, self-starting attorney who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment and passion for public interest law to fill a staff attorney position in its Amarillo office. In addition to providing daily representation in civil legal matters, the successful candidate 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 low income community.

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. Located in Amarillo, the Amarillo office delivers civil legal services in a diverse and dynamic city and neighboring rural counties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. A staff attorney must gather evidence, advise clients about their rights, draft legal documents, and conduct civil lawsuits.
2. Interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence, as well as handle other tasks in representing clients.
3. Represent clients in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
4. Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and the client community.
5. Provide legal assistance in areas of general civil law, including but not limited to: housing, foreclosure prevention, landlord-tenant, family, consumer, probate, special education, public benefits, and bankruptcy.
6. Design and carry out outreach and community legal education.
7. Work closely with the community and low-income community groups to further LANWT’s mission.
8. Supervise and coordinate activities of legal, clerical, volunteer, or student workers.
9. Efficiently handle a caseload involving substantial litigation and other justice-related advocacy.
10. Periodically attend evening legal clinics, devise and participate in community legal education programs, and establish meaningful relationships with community organizations.
11. Conduct intake at shelters and participate in outreach offered by LANWT.

In fulfilling this mission, the 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 Lawyers Creed, and the American Bar Association’s Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Licensed to practice law in Texas.
• Prior experience handling contested litigation cases preferred.
• Prior legal services, public interest, or volunteer experience serving low-income persons preferred.
• Strong understanding of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluent in Spanish – both verbal and written is preferred.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.

SALARY : Current entry-level salary for a new attorney is $73,815 per year. The salary for the successful applicant may be significantly higher, based on applicant’s years of experience.

BENEFITS : Excellent benefits package that includes paid sick leave, 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