Managing Attorney (Crime Victims)
JOB 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.
EDUCATION/LICENSURE (REQUIRED):
- J.D. Degree.
- Licensure by the Supreme Court of Texas.
EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):
- Minimum of five years of experience working with crime victims, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
EXPERIENCE (PREFERRED):
- Minimum of two years of experience leading, mentoring, and motivating staff.
- Minimum of two years of experience with grant reporting and compliance.
- Minimum of two years of experience making presentations to large audiences.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS (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 organization 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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Sedentary work that involves sitting most of the time.
- Occasional bending, squatting, and kneeling.
- Exerting up to ten pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force as needed, at times to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.