Texas Advocacy Project is a statewide non-profit working to end dating and domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking in Texas. TAP empowers survivors through free legal services and access to the justice system, and advances prevention through public outreach and education. Our vision is that all Texans live free from abuse.
TAP Core Values are Integrity, Courage, Innovation, & Empowerment
General Description:
The staff attorney will provide a range of legal services to TAPs clients, including legal advice and counsel on our statewide legal line, drafting legal pleadings for use by pro se clients, directly representing clients, participating in statewide advocacy efforts, and performing a range of other civil legal services as required.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The staff attorney provides a continuum of legal services (legal assistance and training, information and referral, assistance with Crime Victims’ Compensation and Texas SAVNS, direct representation, assisted self-representation) to clients who have been victims of domestic and dating violence, child abuse sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking.
Attorney provides legal advice and counsel and referral via legal lines and obtains protective orders and other court orders necessary to promote the victim's safety and to reduce the likelihood of re-victimization.
The staff attorney also works state-wide with domestic violence and sexual assault victims, law enforcement, as well as arraignment judges in Travis County to help victims of family violence understand their legal options after the batterer has been arrested, and when needed assists with processing MOEPs, including assistance with CVC and SAVNS.
The staff attorney is responsible for planning and implementing trainings to members of the judiciary, law enforcement, advocates, and others in order to expand our services and ensure best practices throughout Texas.
Some travel and working irregular hours including weekends is occasionally required for this position.
All staff assists in overall office responsibilities including correspondence, working with volunteers, and basic office tasks, and other duties as required.
This is a hybrid position- both remote and in-person. Business casual wardrobe is mandatory for in-office work.
TAP and its Board of Directors supports the principles and spirit of equal opportunity based upon qualifications and related experience without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or medical condition as defined in federal and state laws.
Texas Advocacy Project is a smoke-free work environment.
• Must have graduated from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice law in Texas.
• Ability to assist clients with legal issues relating to all areas of civil law as it pertains to domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Must be able to provide information to clients in crisis and be able to help individuals in a compassionate and respectful manner.
• Ability to provide pro se litigants with legal advice and limited representation in all matters relating to domestic violence and sexual assault and draft pleadings and related documents.
• Knowledge of legal issues relating to domestic violence and/or sexual assault is required.
• Strong verbal and writing skills appreciated.
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to travel across the state and work some weekends.
Strongly Preferred: At least one year of litigation experience in family, civil, and/or criminal law; working knowledge of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Texas Family Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and Texas Penal Code. Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish preferred.
If interested, please send a cover letter, detailed resume, and 3 references to [email protected]. Please type “Staff Attorney” in the subject line. No telephone inquiries, please. Applicants must consent to a background check once offer is made. Open until the position is filled. Please indicate how you heard about the opening.