STAFF ATTORNEY CIVIL LITIGATION- CLEAN SLATE FOR JUVENILES & ADULTS

Under general direction of the Earl Carl Director and the Dean, the Staff Attorney acts as staff attorney primarily for the Clean Slate For Juveniles & Adults Project providing legal representation of juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system and school disciplinary actions, as well as assisting adults with restoring their lives after intersecting with the justice system. This position would handle cases involving Criminal Record Clearing, driver’s license restoration, resolving court fines and fees, and voting rights restoration post-conviction.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Provides legal representation in the Earl Carl Institute Clean Slate Project for Juveniles and Adults and other related cases as needed to provide low income communities access to justice.

· Provides legal services and representation from intake to litigation.

· Supervises, assesses and structures the practice work of students working as investigators or providing other legal support on cases being handled by the attorney.

· Responsible for direct case handling, to include communication with courts, clients, opposing counsel and other professionals as well as filing pleading and participating in motions hearings and trials.

· Conducts legal investigations and provides advice to individuals in need of legal services. Drafts and files motions and pleadings in state court on behalf of clients of the law school clinic. Responsible for all aspects of the litigation of cases.

· Serves as lead attorney in their cases and may appears in Court anywhere in Texas.

· Responsible for development of educational and outreach programs in furtherance of ECI’s clinic related work. Also handles administrative activities as directed by an Associate Director or Executive Director.

· Performs other job-related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Ability to work with a diverse multi-cultural population of clients, students and staff.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

· Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications.

Skill in:

· Performs duties within scope of general University policies, procedures and objectives.

· Analyzes problems and performs needs assessments.

· Uses judgment in adapting broad guidelines to achieve desired result.

· Regular exercise of independent judgment within accepted practices.

· Planning activities.

· Legal.

· Analyzing documents.

· Makes recommendations that affect policies, procedures and practices.

· Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

· Work independently.

· Communicates effectively.

· Use job-related software.

· Use job-related systems such as Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, ProDoc or similar.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMAND:

Routine office environment.

Sitting or standing in one location much of the time.

Some stooping, lifting or carrying objects light weight may be required. Use of video display terminal.