Managing Attorney - Community Lawyering Centers

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Managing Attorney - Community Lawyering Centers - (Full- Time Position)

Closing Date: Position Immediately Available and Closed When Filled

Location: Hybrid/Remote - Dallas, Texas

OVERVIEW: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks a dynamic, self-starting attorney who has vision, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law to supervise the Community Lawyering Centers (CLC). The CLC are centers located in the Dallas community and provide legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals through a collaboration between LANWT and the University of North Texas College of Law (UNTCOL). The Managing Attorney will supervise LANWT staff as well as train and supervise UNTCOL students for academic credit. In addition to providing daily representation in general civil and family legal matters, the Managing Attorney should demonstrate a commitment to identifying and taking advantage of opportunities for strategic advocacy and engaging in community outreach to and in collaboration with low-income individuals, including community groups that are made up of income eligible members or serving the indigent. The Managing Attorney will also be responsible for the administrative matters in operating the centers, to the extent that LANWT is responsible; in evaluating, coaching, and disciplining LANWT staff and maintaining and growing relationships with community partners.

DESCRIPTION: LANWT is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high-quality free civil legal services to low-income individuals in 114 counties in North and West Texas. Located in Dallas, the CLC offices deliver civil legal services in a diverse, dynamic, and challenging city.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The principal duties of the Managing Attorney will be to oversee the collaboration between LANWT and the UNTCOL. The Managing Attorney will provide direct supervision to LANWT staff, supervise student attorneys, including those practicing with temporary trial cards, mentoring and training the participating staff, students and interns, participating in the student evaluations for academic credit, ensuring compliance with requirements of funding sources, overseeing office administrative matters, and handling client complaints. The Managing Attorney will also be required to serve as an Adjunct Professor for UNTCOL and provide training and evaluations for the UNTCOL law students. The Managing Attorney will work with senior administrative staff in pursuing the strategic and operational objectives of LANWT, including fundraising efforts.

The Managing Attorney will provide direct legal services to qualifying low-income individuals, community groups, meet regularly with community groups and community organizers, assess emerging needs of low-income communities, advise clients and community groups about their rights, draft legal documents, conduct civil lawsuits and engage in administrative advocacy before quasi-judicial tribunals and governmental agencies. The Managing Attorney will design and conduct outreach and community legal education and work closely with the community and low-income community groups to further LANWT's mission of reducing poverty by providing equitable access to the civil justice system and supporting the initiatives of the CLC.

The Managing Attorney will participate in management meetings, trainings and projects, conduct employee performance evaluations and handle corrective action or disciplinary issues, processes administrative items and issues related to timekeeping, travel, leave, check requests, training requests and payroll.

In fulfilling this mission, the Managing Attorney will provide high-quality representation consistent with LANWT's policies and procedures, the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer's Creed, and the American Bar

Association's Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services to the Poor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed to practice law in Texas a minimum of 5 years required.
• A demonstrated, zealous commitment to public interest law, serving the indigent, or other relevant legal experience, with extensive experience and proven skills in progressive litigation.
• Strong understanding of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Evidence required.
• Excellent legal research and legal writing skills.
• Ability to demonstrate and promote a positive work ethic and work environment and provide mentorship and training to staff.
• Prior management or leadership experience is required.
• Experience coordinating community services, partners and education.
• The ability to think and plan strategically and to develop and implement projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in Spanish - both verbal and written is preferred.
• Ability to engage in occasional work-related travel.
• Readiness to have a flexible flexible or alternate work schedule, including occasional evening hours and Saturdays.
• Excellent attendance record.

COMPENSATION: Based on applicant's years of relevant experience.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation and holidays; a retirement plan; health, dental 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

VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY