Attorney – Foster Care Youth

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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: 

Job Summary

Disability Rights Texas is hiring an entry level Attorney for the Foster Care project. This full time entry level position will be based in our Austin, TX office. This attorney represents foster youth and includes serving as the attorney ad litem for the youth by representing them in administrative and legal proceedings in the foster care system. This also includes interviewing clients, reviewing records, conducting legal research, negotiating outcomes, and representing clients in administrative hearings and in state and federal judicial proceedings. In addition, the attorney provides education and training sessions about the legal rights of foster youth with foster youth with disabilities, judges, attorneys, CASA volunteers, and professionals/service providers.

Responsibilities and Duties

Provide legal services and advice to foster youth with disabilities which may include legal advocacy, negotiation, mediation, litigation 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.

Requirements: 

Qualifications and Skills

Law Degree and active Texas law license with less than four (4) years experience.
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.
Travel extensively throughout the State of Texas to provide legal services to foster youth who are located across the State.

Notes: 
About Disability Rights Texas 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. Benefits and Perks Paid insurance: health, dental, life, long term care, long term disability. Vision discount plan Tax-free spending and savings accounts for healthcare related and dependent day care expenses Tons of paid time off: 12+ days of accrued paid vacation per year, at hire, increasing with tenure; 12+ days of accrued paid sick time per year, at hire; 2+ days of paid personal time per year, at hire; 15 paid holidays per year, including the the period of December 24 - January 1; up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child and up to 4 weeks of paid bereavement leave for the death of certain family members 401(k) retirement account including a contribution made by DRTx, regardless of what an employee does or does not contribute pre-tax or roth Flexible schedules, compressed work weeks, and opportunities to work via telecommuting are available for certain positions Certain employees may be eligible for student loan repayment assistance and forgiveness programs
Salary range: 
51-55k