OverviewJob Title: Staff Attorney
Department: Criminal Defense
Location: San Marcos, Texas
Reports To: Supervising Attorney
Position Type: Full-time
Union Status: Union eligible
FLSA Status: Exempt
Core Purpose of the Role:The Staff Attorney serves as the court-appointed legal counsel for indigent clients charged with crimes. Their primary function is to enforce the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and provide zealous, client-centered advocacy at every stage of the criminal justice process.
ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities:1. Appear in all court proceedings for each client through the conclusion of their case.
2. Interview clients and their families, conduct legal research, and write pre-pleading letters, motions, and pre-sentencing memoranda on behalf of clients.
3. File motions, briefs, and other related documents on a frequent and timely basis.
4. Prepares cases for trial, collects, organizes and prepares evidence and other legal material.
5. Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations and arguments in criminal cases.
6. Be responsive to and communicate clearly with clients who are often under great stress.
7. Work closely with team members to advocate for reduced sentences and/or alternatives to incarceration for clients. This advocacy includes:
- Gathering factual mitigation through interviews and obtaining records;
- Analyzing records;
- Researching and recommending alternatives to incarceration;
- Writing pre-pleading memoranda to judges and prosecutors seeking reduced sentences and alternatives to incarceration.
8. Advocate orally on behalf of clients to judges, programs, and prosecutors.
9. Visit clients in custody to conduct initial assessments, screenings, and interviews.
10. Work as part of the interdisciplinary team, including social workers, investigators and other non-attorney advocates, to determine case strategy.
11. Maintain accurate and confidential client records, documenting all interactions, and interventions in the case management system in a timely manner.
12. Obtain clients' records from all relevant sources; review records; and prepare summary of records.
13. Adhere to all relevant federal and state laws and agency policies and procedures, including HIPAA and other confidentiality regulations.
14. Communicate promptly and professionally with supervising attorney on all case related matters.
15. Demonstrate cultural competence, awareness, and respect for diverse cultures and individual differences.
QualificationsQualifications:Required
1. A demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity, and social justice issues, and a substantive understanding of the biases impacting our clients
2.An ability to quickly build relationships with people of varying identities, income levels, races and ethnicities.
3. A high level of organizational and administrative skills to handle a high caseload and multi- task in a very fast-paced environment.
4. Experience representing clients in criminal cases and knowledge of criminal procedure from arraignments to trial and sentencing. Candidates with jury trial experience are encouraged to apply.
5. Presents facts, precedents, and arguments verbally and in writing; able to use negotiation skills effectively to ensure favorable outcomes.
6. A track record of strategically guiding casework, projects, and/or relationships; applying good and practiced judgement; routinely pushing through roadblocks to achieve goals.
7. Experience and skill in connecting with and representing clients who have mental health issues.
8. Must possess excellent interpersonal, analytical, writing, and effective communication skills.
9. An ability to work cooperatively in a team setting and independently with minimal oversight.
10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clientele, representatives of outside agencies, county employees and officials, and the public.
11. Knowledge of Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office Suite
12. A license to practice law in Texas. Attorneys admitted to the Texas Bar with experience in criminal courts.
Preferred
1. Spanish language fluency is preferred but not required.
Compensation:Compensation is commensurate with experience. The current salary range for this position is $79,144.89 - $92,029.62. The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325.
SALARY RANGE BASED ON TRANSFERABLE EXPERIENCE
1-5 Years
$79,144.89 - 86,383.33
6-10 Years
$87,549.66 - 92,029.62
- Full medical and dental benefits
- Retirement plan with company match up to 5%
- Robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits are provided
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample with their application as one document, preferably PDF. For more information about NDS, please visit our website at https://neighborhooddefender.org/locations/texas/.
