Staff Attorney - LAH

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Retirement plan

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas in Dallas, TX, seeks a Staff Attorney (Full-Time) hybrid, to provide daily civil legal services to low‑income clients and engage in strategic advocacy and community outreach. The attorney will handle a range of civil practice areas, supervise staff when needed, and work with community partners to advance access to justice.

The role emphasizes culturally competent representation, collaboration, and adherence to professional standards, with primary duties across

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Texas or awaiting Texas Bar reciprocity approval.
• Strong knowledge of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage a caseload and think strategically.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts plainly.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality civil legal representation to low‑income clients.
• Interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence.
• Conduct legal research and advise clients on rights and options.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Represent clients in court and before administrative agencies.
• Manage a caseload involving significant litigation and advocacy.
• Collaborate with community partners and provide outreach and education.

Skills

Public interest law

Verbal and written communication

Cultural competence

Case management

Legal research

Spanish language skills

Job description

Staff Attorney - LAH

Regular Full Time Professional Dallas, TX, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1602

Salary Range: $73,815.00 To $110,112.00 Annually

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION

Staff Attorney (Full-Time) Hybrid

CLOSING DATE

Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

ABOUT

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non‑profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality, free civil legal services to low‑income individuals and families in 114 counties across North and West Texas. Our mission is to ensure equal access to justice and improve the lives of low‑income communities by providing high-quality legal representation, strategic litigation, valuable legal advice and meaningful collaborations, outreach, and community education.

JOB OVERVIEW

LANWT seeks a dynamic, self‑motivated attorney with vision, initiative, and a strong commitment to public interest law to fill a staff attorney position in its Dallas, Texas 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 individuals, including community groups that are made up of or serve the indigent.

Applicants may be considered for more than one position and location. Candidates will be able to indicate preferred office location(s) and area(s) of interest during the application process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff attorneys are responsible for delivering high-quality civil legal services to low‑income clients. Core responsibilities include:

• Provide high-quality legal representation to low-income and indigent clients.


• Interview clients and witnesses with cultural competence and trauma-informed practices.


• Conduct legal research, gather evidence, and advise clients on their legal rights and options.


• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.


• Represent clients in court and before administrative or quasi-judicial agencies.


• Manage a caseload involving significant litigation and justice-related advocacy.


• Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for clients and community partners.


• Staff attorneys may work in one or more civil practice areas based on office needs and experience, including but not limited to:


• Housing law


• Family law


• Consumer rights and bankruptcy


• Employment, including tax law


• Public benefits and Social Security


• Foreclosure prevention


• Education and health law


• Other general civil legal areas


• Design, develop, and participate in community legal education and outreach initiatives.


• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with community organizations, particularly those serving low-income and underserved populations.


• Collaborate with community partners to advance LANWT’s mission of reducing poverty through equitable access to civil justice.


• Participate in strategic advocacy efforts that advance LANWT’s mission of reducing poverty through equitable access to civil justice.


• Refer clients to appropriate services and resources within these networks.


• Attend evening legal clinics as needed.


• Supervise and coordinate the work of legal assistants, clerical staff, volunteers, or law students as assigned.


• Maintain a working knowledge of grant and funding requirements to ensure compliance with program obligations.


• Follow LANWT policies and procedures.


• Adhere to all applicable professional and ethical standards, including:


• Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct


• ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor

QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed to practice law in Texas or awaiting Texas Bar reciprocity approval.


• Strong knowledge of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and Texas Rules of Evidence.


• Prior experience handling public benefits, Social Security, contested housing, or driver’s licenses cases preferred.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to manage a caseload, think strategically, and implement projects effectively.


• Ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language.


• Ability to handle interactions calmly and professionally with clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and judges.


• Strong work ethic, accountability, and professionalism.


• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.


• Cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.


• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving low-income communities.


• Reliable attendance and ability to engage in occasional travel throughout LANWT’s service area.


• Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) preferred.

Position requires regular use of a computer and standard office equipment, occasional lifting and moving of files or materials, and periodic travel to courts, community locations, and organizational meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

SALARY

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

BENEFITS

Excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental, vision and life insurance.

LANWT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LANWT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.