Description
Position Summary:
Texas Legal Services Center’s (TLSC) Crime Victims Program provides direct legal services to victims of violent crime by advocating for their civil legal needs as they navigate the criminal justice system.
The Managing Attorney is responsible for the oversight and administration of a team of attorneys and advocacy staff who provide trauma-informed services to crime victims through legal advice, litigation, advocacy in criminal cases and parole proceedings, and other appropriate legal services. The Managing Attorney is also responsible for maintaining their own caseload; building and nurturing relationships with other service providers across the state; providing trainings for attorneys, advocates, judges, and law enforcement on best practices for working with crime victims; coordinating outreach; and grant-reporting.
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 support and leadership to the attorneys and legal advocates on the Crime Victims Litigation team in a responsive and professional manner.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff.
• Mentor and motivate staff through strategic thinking and team building.
• Ensure program compliance with grant requirements, regulations, standards, policies, and confidentiality requirements.
• Assist in applying for grants and provide financial and program reporting as requested.
• Provide legal advice, assistance, referrals, and representation in court hearings and administrative proceedings, where applicable, to eligible clients in a compassionate, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and victim-centered manner.
• Perform research and analysis, conduct factual investigations, communicate with third parties, make agency referrals, and draft and file legal documents.
• Cultivate working relationships, both internally and with other organizations and agencies, to advance programmatic and organizational goals.
• Lead or assist with promoting education efforts statewide, including developing, presenting, or participating in trainings aimed at law enforcement, attorneys, judges, and other social service providers.
• Travel, at times frequently, to locations outside of Austin to address client issues, further education efforts, or meet on partner agency matters. (Currently limited due to the COVID pandemic).
Other Functions
• Ensure all client, project, and computer files are maintained in an orderly manner.
• Provide all information needed/requested for TLSC-reporting in a prompt manner.
• Collaborate with other TLSC managers and senior staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Competencies (Required)
• Current knowledge and expertise of the law and legal system in areas that affect crime victims.
• Proven leadership skills.
• Public speaking skills.
• Ability to work with clients in a patient, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental manner.
• High-level organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong time management and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with (or the ability to quickly learn) LegalServer (TLSC’s case management system), Adobe, Microsoft Office products, and virtual meeting software, such as GoToWebinar, Zoom, or Teams.
• Ability to travel to out-of-town locations, including overnight stays as needed.
Education and License (Required)
• J.D. Degree.
• Licensure by the Supreme Court of Texas.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes.
Managing Attorneys are expected to be in the office 3-days per week.
Experience (Required)
• Five years’ experience working with crime victims, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Experience (At least two years’ preferred)
• Leading, mentoring, and motivating staff.
• Grant reporting and compliance.
• Presenting in front of large audiences.
Skills Required
- J.D. degree
- Licensure by the Supreme Court of Texas
- Five years of experience working with crime victims, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
- Knowledge and expertise of laws and legal systems affecting crime victims
- Leadership skills
- Public speaking skills
- Trauma-informed, patient, and nonjudgmental client service ability
- High-level organizational, communication, time-management, and attention-to-detail skills
- Proficiency with or ability to quickly learn LegalServer, Adobe, Microsoft Office, and virtual meeting software
- Ability to travel to out-of-town locations, including overnight stays as needed
- At least two years leading, mentoring, and motivating staff
- Grant reporting and compliance experience
- Experience presenting to large audiences
What We Do
Texas Legal Services Center is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring equal justice for all Texans. It provides high-quality legal representation, advice, advocacy, and education at no cost to underserved and vulnerable people across the state. Its work covers various civil law areas, helping low-income individuals access healthcare, safety, stability, housing, government benefits, and employment while reshaping the legal system to better serve the community.
