Staff Attorney - VLAP - MLP

TEXAS LEGAL SERVICES CENTER; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Part time

Job summary

TEXAS LEGAL SERVICES CENTER seeks a staff attorney to provide civil legal advice and representation to eligible clients, with emphasis on senior benefits and public benefits. The role requires ethical practice, adherence to grant requirements, and travel to designated Texas counties for outreach and representation.

The position supports the Medical-Legal Partnership and is grant funded, with work performed three days per week in Cedar Park, Williamson County.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree required and licensed to practice law in Texas.
• Experience with civil legal aid and handling a range of legal issues is preferred.
• Commitment to ethical standards and confidentiality is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality civil legal advice and assistance primarily over the telephone.
• Analyze legal and societal problems and devise strategic plans to address injustices.
• Conduct intake interviews and determine client eligibility.
• Communicate with third parties and advocate for clients and TLSC mission.
• Prepare for and participate in depositions, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Travel to counties in Texas for outreach, clinics, and representation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Communication skills

Time management

Trauma-informed approach

Attention to detail

Grants compliance

Travel readiness

Education

J.D. Degree

Tools

LegalServer

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

THIS POSITION REQUIRES 3 Days per week in Cedar Park, Williamson County in support of the

Medical-Legal Partnership MLP

Position Summary:

The staff attorney is responsible for providing general civil legal advice, assistance, or representation to eligible clients.

This attorney in this position is expected to:

Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards as a member of the State Bar; adhere to the American Bar Association Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid; embrace and support TLSC’s overall mission; and comply with all grant requirements, regulations, standards, policies, and confidentiality requirements.

This is a grant funded position.

Essential Functions:

• Provide high quality legal advice and assistance primarily over the telephone to eligible clients and client organizations in a compassionate, culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed manner.
• Analyze legal and societal problems and devise savvy strategic plans to eliminate social injustices while often utilizing outside-the-box thinking.
• Execute intake interviews, confirm eligibility for services and check for conflicts of interest according to TLSC policy.
• Communicate with third parties, media, and public on behalf of clients to resolve legal problems and to advocate on behalf of clients and the TLSC mission.
• Prepare for, attend, assist, argue, and conduct depositions, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Travel to designated counties in the state of Texas to conduct outreach and clinic activities, and legal representation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Current knowledge and expertise of the law and legal system, especially in areas that impact senior citizens, Medicare, Medicaid, housing, and other public benefits.
• High-level organizational skills.
• Exceptional listening, verbal, and written communications skills.
• Strong time management and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with (or the ability to learn) LegalServer (TLSC’s case management system).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Understanding of grant requirements and associated reporting needs.
• Commitment to promoting inclusion, equity, and cultural responsiveness, and to protecting the rights of marginalized and underserved populations.
• Ability to travel to out-of-town locations that include overnight stays.
• Ability to work with clients in a patient, trauma-informed and non-judgmental manner.
• Ability to enter information into case management system accurately.

Supervisor Responsibilities: Not applicable to this position.

Requirements

THIS POSITION REQUIRES 3 Days per week in Cedar Park, Williamson County in support of the

Medical-Legal Partnership MLP

Minimum Education and Experience:

• J.D. Degree

Licensure and/or Certification: Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas.

Physical Requirements

• Sedentary work that involves sitting most of the time.
• Occasional bending, squatting, and kneeling.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force as needed, at times to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.