The Texas Civil Rights Project (“TCRP”) seeks a passionate, talented attorney based in our Austin, Texas office. While the position will focus on impact litigation and other advocacy on behalf of immigrants and their communities, the attorney will also be staffed on matters within TCRP’s Criminal Justice Reform and Voting Rights programs.
About TCRP
TCRP uses legal advocacy to empower Texas communities and create policy change. In our twenty five year history, TCRP has brought thousands of strategic lawsuits, defending voting rights, reforming systems of criminal justice, and fighting institutional discrimination in pursuit of racial and economic justice. Our efforts have helped countless low-income and otherwise marginalized Texans and have widely advanced equality and justice. Today — with dozens of high-caliber attorneys and professionals in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley and an extensive network of pro bono counsel and community allies —TCRP is among the most influential civil rights organizations in the Lone Star State. Learn more at www.texascivilrightsproject.org.
Position Overview
Our new attorney will spend a majority of his or her time working on matters within TCRP’s Racial and Economic Justice Program, focused on litigation and advocacy strategies to protect the constitutional rights of immigrants and their communities in the face of new threats. The remainder of the attorney’s docket will be divided between TCRP’s Criminal Justice Reform Program, which seeks to remedy root causes of mass incarceration, and our Voting Rights Program, which aims to expand and protect voting rights.
The attorney will maintain an active caseload and will spend most of his/her time working with our Program directors to develop and bring impact litigation in state and federal court. In addition, the attorney will contribute to TCRP’s public education and advocacy efforts in this area by providing a leading voice on social justice issues in Texas, particularly the systemic discrimination faced by immigrant families.
Compensation
TCRP offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, professional development opportunities and a deep commitment to a meaningful work-life balance. Benefits include employer-paid health insurance, four weeks paid vacation, six weeks paid family leave (with avenues to extend leave to 12 weeks in total), a $500 professional development budget annually, and extensive holidays, including a week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Non-Discrimination
TCRP is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, creed, religion, physical ability, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, previous incarceration, veteran status, union membership or activism, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.
Qualifications
● Minimum of three years post-J.D. experience ( i.e. , graduation date of 2014 or earlier), preferably with significant civil litigation experience
● Ability to build and successfully manage coalitions
● Track record of working collaboratively with diverse groups of individuals
● Excellent writing and oral communication skills
● A positive, can-do attitude, with an openness to evolving responsibilities
● Licensed to practice in Texas
● Meaningful experience with immigrant rights issues is a plus
● Spanish language skills are a plus
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references to Megan Garcia at [email protected]. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but are strongly encouraged to apply no later than June 2, 2017.