Volunteer Legal Services seeks to add an enthusiastic, mission-driven attorney to our Family
Law Team. The full-time staff attorney will focus primarily on family law cases, including
divorce, child custody and support. The staff attorney will work with pro bono attorneys and
staff to provide legal assistance to eligible clients and assist with community outreach and
education.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties:
• Practice civil law for eligible clients in accordance with the Texas Disciplinary Rules of
Professional Conduct and consistent with office standards of practice. This will include
including handling a case load, as well as running and supervising bi-weekly legal advice
clinics (remote and in-person) as appropriate and directed by the Director of Legal Services;
• Intake and staff cases, and work with the Case Placement Coordinator to place cases with
attorney volunteers.
• Identify mediators for VLS cases. Assist in the recruitment of attorney volunteers for
programs or projects as directed by the Director of Legal Services and in collaboration with
the Director of Pro Bono Services.
• Provide advice and counsel to attorney volunteers handling pro bono cases, including but
not limited to assistance with pleadings, research, case strategy and court support when
appropriate;
• Provide trauma-informed support, counsel and resources to survivors of trauma and family
violence. Advise and support volunteer attorneys who take on cases for survivors of family
violence.
• Supervise and/or work with legal paraprofessionals and/or law students/VLS legal fellows as
assigned;
• Commensurate with experience, consult, guide and answer questions of other staff
members;
• Keep current on the state of the law and procedures within areas of law impacting
applicants, clients, and the pro bono attorneys that volunteer through VLS;
• Conduct informal and formal training seminars for attorney volunteers on common poverty
law practice areas as needed;
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law, including publication, permissible
legislative and rulemaking activities, media relations in accordance with VLS policy and
applicable laws and regulations, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services;
• Participate in community legal education as directed by the Director of Legal Services.
• Prepare educational materials and/or make public presentations on relevant topics as
assigned and participate in VLS outreach efforts;
• Fulfill all requirements necessary to remain in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and
the Texas Supreme Court, including but not limited to, compliance with the minimum
requirements for Continuing Legal Education;
• Comply with all case reporting and grant requirements, including case activities, legislative
and rulemaking, community education presentations, etc.;
• Maintain relationships with other programs and agencies as requested by the Director of
Legal Services, including, but not limited to, attending meetings of such programs and/or
agencies; and
• Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Required
• Doctor of Jurisprudence, licensed to practice in Texas.
• Minimum of 3 years’ family law or litigation experience, or commensurate experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to pro bono legal services.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong and effective oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications of Microsoft Office, particularly Word
and Excel, as well as experience using legal cases management database.
Preferred
• Spanish proficiency.
• Pro bono/public interest law experience.
• Experience working with diverse and/or marginalized communities.
• Non-profit organization work experience.
• Training on holistic and trauma-informed advocacy and representation.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The Family Law Staff Attorney will be expected to have daily transportation to attend VLS events as
necessary. The Family Law Staff Attorney will spend most of their time in an office that could involve
intermittent physical activities including bending, reaching, sitting, and walking during business hours.
Additionally, it is anticipated that the person may spend several hours each day seated at a computer.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.
Please send cover letter and resume to [email protected] or fax to 512-322-0764.