Attorney – Institutional Rights and Children’s Mental Health

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Job location
2222 W Braker Ln
Austin, TX 78758
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Disability Rights Texas
Street address: 
2222 W Braker Ln
City: 
Austin
State: 
Texas
ZIP: 
78758
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

• Provide legal services and advice to individuals which may include legal advocacy, negotiation, mediation, litigations and handling of administrative and court proceedings.
• Respond to requests for assistance and determines eligibility for services.
• Provide direction and technical assistance to Advocates, when appropriate.
• Participate in case reviews and provide Advocates with direction on strategizing cases and legal issues, when appropriate.
• Provide technical assistance on an on-going basis to private attorneys representing persons with disabilities
• Develop materials for and conduct education and training (E&T) presentations on Disability Rights Texas's services and legal rights issues.

About the Team
The Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties (IRCL) Team serves persons with mental illness living in institutions and the community, persons with intellectual disabilities living in State Support Living Centers (SSLCs) or who have recently transitioned to the community, and persons with mental illness and/or intellectual disabilities in jails and juvenile justice facilities. Services include community integration and prevention of institutionalization, abuse and neglect investigations, advocacy around rights violations, and guardianship restoration.

Requirements: 

• Law Degree and active Texas law license
• Three years previous related experience, preferably working with persons with disabilities
• Strong and effective written, verbal and negotiating communication skills, including the ability to do so in a concise manner regarding complex issues
• Demonstrated experience in public speaking and developing effective informative and persuasive presentations
• Demonstrated functional knowledge of complex state and federal laws, rights protection statutes and regulations.
• Willingness to take direction and independently follow through on instructions timely.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Strong computer / technology literacy.
• High commitment to service excellence while maintaining high degree of integrity, ethics and judgement.

Notes: 
Disability Rights Texas is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities in Texas. Our mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society. Disability Rights Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees who have a disability. Disability Rights Texas does not accept contacts or resumes from any search firms or staffing agencies, unless previous agreements have been made. All unsolicited resumes will be considered Disability Rights Texas' property, and Disability Rights Texas will not be obligated to pay a referral fee. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers.
Salary range: 
51000-75000