Staff Attorney

** Full time, potential part time opportunities may exist

Position Summary:

TLSC's Child Welfare program provides direct legal services to families involved in or at risk of involvement with the Texas child welfare system.

The Staff Attorney will answer calls on the Family Helpline, which offers free legal information and education in an anonymous setting to parents, relatives, and members of the public with questions about Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) policies, procedures, and the broader child welfare legal system. Helpline services are designed to empower families with clear, accurate, and accessible information about their rights and responsibilities, and to help them navigate the multiple systems that intersect with child welfare in Texas.

The Staff Attorney will also provide advice and limited representation to people navigating the child welfare system on a range of legal matters. These may include representation in active, non-court child welfare cases (including CPS investigations, Family-Based Safety Services cases, or Administrative Reviews of Investigation Findings) as well as related legal issues involving education, public benefits, or medical authorizations.

Because the Child Welfare Program regularly collaborates with other stakeholders in the child welfare community, the Staff Attorney will also participate in outreach efforts and contribute to training and education through presentations and the development of written materials.

The 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 high-quality legal information, advice, referrals, and representation to eligible callers and clients in a compassionate and nonjudgmental manner.
• Perform legal research and analysis and provide callers and clients information on how to complete legal tasks.
• Draft legal pleadings. Prepare for and attend administrative proceedings.
• Timely and accurately enter data and notes into TLSC's case management system.
• Execute intake interviews with potential clients, confirm eligibility for services, and check for conflicts of interest according to TLSC policy.
• Seek and act on opportunities for child welfare transformation by participating in relevant committees, workgroups, and taskforces.
• Present complex, relevant legal topics to lay members of the community and child welfare or other legal professionals through outreach and presentations.
• Create written informational and educational content regarding child welfare legal issues and the child welfare system.
• Occasionally travel to locations outside of Austin, Texas for outreach, continuing legal education, or other opportunities.
• Provide all information needed/requested for TLSC grant reporting in a prompt manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Competencies

• Current knowledge of the law related to child welfare and child protection, including but not limited to: child protection law, family law, criminal law, conservatorship, possession and access, child support, enforcement and modification of court orders and judgments, paternity, termination of parental rights, adoption, negotiation and mediation, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and the child protective services system.
• High-level organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong ability to listen to callers and clients compassionately and actively and verbally communicate the legal processes related to child protection law in a non-judgmental manner.
• Strong time management and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with (or the ability to learn) LegalServer (TLSC's case management system), Adobe, and Microsoft Office products.
• Understanding of grant requirements and associated reporting needs.

Minimum Education and Experience

• J.D. Degree
• Licensure by the Supreme Court of Texas at least one week prior to actual start date.

Experience (Preferred)

• Minimum of one (1) year child welfare law experience, as a caseworker or as an attorney representing parents, children, or the state in Child Protective Services cases.