Staff Attorney - Community Lawyering Fellow in Waco, Texas at Greater Waco Legal Services

Job Title: Staff Attorney – Community Lawyering Fellow
Benefits/PTO: Eligible
Reports to: Senior Staff Attorney
Annual Salary: $63,000
Office Hours: M-F / 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

FLSA Classification/ Position Status: *Exempt / Full Time / At-Will
*Exempt: An individual is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) because he or she is classified as an executive, professional, administrative, or outside sales employee and meets the specific criteria for the exemption.

Summary/Objective:
Greater Waco Legal Services is excited to announce the job opening for a 2-year, full-time Community Lawyering Fellowship Staff Attorney. The new attorney will join the other Staff Partners in our growing non-profit law firm and receive mentoring and lawyering experience in partnership with local law firms and lawyers. GWLS provides affordable legal services, holistic advocacy, and community-driven collaborative partnerships so that all members of our community have equal access to justice. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation to GWLS clients, meeting some of our community’s most pressing legal needs.

Required Education and Experience:

• Licensed to practice law in Texas, eligible for admission to the Texas bar by reciprocity, or willing to sit for the next scheduled bar examination. A newly licensed attorney will be given legal representation responsibility from day one, but under the close guidance of local attorneys and GWLS Staff Attorneys.
• Prior legal services, public interest, or other experience in serving low-income persons and/or vulnerable communities (preferred)
• Valid Texas Drivers’ License and Personal Auto Insurance Policy
• Experience coordinating community services, working with community partners, and/or participating in volunteer-based projects
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) ability (preferred)

Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

• Ability to focus on individual client representation while also advocating for the entire community
• Aptitude for working independently and as part of a team
• Strong capacity to think and plan strategically and to develop and implement projects
• High level of integrity and commitment to enhancing the mission, vision, and culture of GWLS
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Teachable attitude regarding the history, culture, and objectives of GWLS, our clients and community
• Commitment to steadfast, progressive work for equity, justice, and inclusion
• Creative, collaborative, and innovative mindset, alongside a capacity to think and plan strategically and to develop and implement projects
• Person-centered, holistic care approach to clients and community
• Desire to practice law in an innovative legal services organization

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receive mentoring and experience to build up a case load of family law, wills & estate planning/probate/property ownership, immigration, civil litigation, and other practice areas as needed.
• Provide substantial leadership and management of our School-Legal Partnership with Communities in Schools and McLennan Community College.
• Conduct client consultations, provide ongoing case management, and supervise staff support, including law students and other volunteers.
• Develop outreach, education, and empowerment initiatives and work collaboratively with community partners.
• Desire to practice law in an innovative legal services organization, supporting GWLS’s monthly legal advice clinics, legal empowerment workshops, other community partnerships, and holistic advocacy.
• Focus on individual client representation while also advocating for the entire community.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Work authorization/security clearance required:

Must be eligible to work in the United States

Other Duties as Assigned:

Please note 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 and the team member may be asked to perform other duties as assigned.

Employment Benefits and Perks

• Potential for growth in compensation dependent upon impact
• Health (GWLS covers 100% of base employee premium), dental, vision, and life insurance benefits offered (paid by employee)
• Qualifying employment for Public Service Loan Forgiveness & Income-Based Repayment programs
• Organizational advancement opportunities

Affirmative Action / EEO Statement/Anti-Discrimination Policy

Greater Waco Legal Services (“GWLS”) does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. GWLS does provide and shall provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of its staff and its clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. GWLS is an equal opportunity employer. GWLS does not and shall not discriminate in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.