Applications will be considered on a rolling basis but must be received no later than January 15, 2021. LSJA has a strong commitment to diversity and especially encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
ABOUT LSJA
The Lone Star Justice Alliance (LSJA) is seeking an attorney with litigation experience to join its legal staff. LSJA is a nonprofit legal organization that improves the lives of youth and emerging adults in the justice system. We envision a justice system that uses developmentally-appropriate responses to behavior and treats youth and emerging adults with equity and dignity to promote resilience, conserve costs, and increase public safety.
LSJA is seeking a Director of the Survivors’ Project who is a change-maker and is interested in leading the field of criminal and juvenile justice reform in Texas. The Director of the Survivors’ Project will take on a variety of legal tasks and possess a comprehensive understanding of issues in the justice system. The Director of the Survivors’ Project will co-author groundbreaking reports, help pass legislative and executive reforms, and coordinate pro bono legal services for survivors human trafficking/ intimate partner violence.
ABOUT YOUWe are seeking an experienced attorney for the Survivors’ Project with strong advocacy skills, who is highly motivated, hard-working, and embraces our mission and program goals enthusiastically. Strong research and writing skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and an abiding commitment to social justice are essential for this position.
You must be a team player. You will be supervising a dynamic group of people that make up our legal team. Our team is growing, and you will be instrumental in that growth. We need an outstanding legal technician, and an excellent leader and supervisor. We are strong believers in the team approach and our office is a team environment. You must enjoy mentoring and teaching if you are to succeed in this role.
We need high energy and enthusiasm for the work we do (and life in general). You must be able to work fast and change gears quickly. You must be able to think on your feet and make smart decisions. You must be willing to go the extra mile to get the job done right the first time. In our practice getting it done right the first time for our clients is very important and we need everyone to work with this goal in mind.
You must, must, must have emotional intelligence and empathy. You must have compassion for our clients and for humankind. You cannot be someone who does not take criticism well or cannot deal well with people. Some of our clients have bad days, can be royal pains, and do not always make good life choices. They are dealing with a complex and confusing legal system – on top of everything they encounter in their daily lives. Sometimes they take it out on their lawyer. If you do not think that you are up to the challenge of helping sometimes difficult clients, this is not the job for you.
We are a team of high-achievers where positivity, collaboration, resourcefulness and a hands-on attitude win the day. “How can I help?” is a phrase that is always heard in our office and never “That’s not my job.” We are looking for people who will thrive in this office culture. You also need to be detail-oriented. The consequences of our work impact our clients’ futures and we make sure that it is never because of a missed deadline, careless mistake or avoidable error or oversight.
To put it simply, we want you to do good work and lead our team to rally around our clients to help solve their legal problems. We want people who want to fight for human rights, the rights of children, and opportunities for all.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Non-essential but highly desirable
THE BENEFITS
HOW TO APPLYTo apply please send a letter of interest and a resume to Executive Director, Elizabeth A. Henneke, ehenneke@lsja.org. In the Subject line, type your last name in all caps – one adjective to describe you – Survivors’ Project. (Ex. HENNEKE-gregarious-Survivors' Project)
In your cover letter, answer the following questions: (1) What does justice reform mean to you? You should be detailed in your response, but don't go over two paragraphs. (2) Why do you think you would be a good fit for this nonprofit. (3) Finally, what is your favorite children’s book and why?
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis but must be received no later than January 1, 2021. LSJA has a strong commitment to diversity and especially encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
The Lone Star Justice Alliance (LSJA) is seeking an attorney with litigation experience to join its legal staff. LSJA is a nonprofit legal organization that improves the lives of youth and emerging adults in the justice system. We envision a justice system that uses developmentally-appropriate responses to behavior and treats youth and emerging adults with equity and dignity to promote resilience, conserve costs, and increase public safety.
LSJA is seeking a Director of the Survivors’ Project who is a change-maker and is interested in leading the field of criminal and juvenile justice reform in Texas. The Director of the Survivors’ Project will take on a variety of legal tasks and possess a comprehensive understanding of issues in the justice system. The Director of the Survivors’ Project will co-author groundbreaking reports, help pass legislative and executive reforms, and coordinate pro bono legal services for survivors human trafficking/ intimate partner violence.
ABOUT YOUWe are seeking an experienced attorney for the Survivors’ Project with strong advocacy skills, who is highly motivated, hard-working, and embraces our mission and program goals enthusiastically. Strong research and writing skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and an abiding commitment to social justice are essential for this position.
You must be a team player. You will be supervising a dynamic group of people that make up our legal team. Our team is growing, and you will be instrumental in that growth. We need an outstanding legal technician, and an excellent leader and supervisor. We are strong believers in the team approach and our office is a team environment. You must enjoy mentoring and teaching if you are to succeed in this role.
We need high energy and enthusiasm for the work we do (and life in general). You must be able to work fast and change gears quickly. You must be able to think on your feet and make smart decisions. You must be willing to go the extra mile to get the job done right the first time. In our practice getting it done right the first time for our clients is very important and we need everyone to work with this goal in mind.
You must, must, must have emotional intelligence and empathy. You must have compassion for our clients and for humankind. You cannot be someone who does not take criticism well or cannot deal well with people. Some of our clients have bad days, can be royal pains, and do not always make good life choices. They are dealing with a complex and confusing legal system – on top of everything they encounter in their daily lives. Sometimes they take it out on their lawyer. If you do not think that you are up to the challenge of helping sometimes difficult clients, this is not the job for you.
We are a team of high-achievers where positivity, collaboration, resourcefulness and a hands-on attitude win the day. “How can I help?” is a phrase that is always heard in our office and never “That’s not my job.” We are looking for people who will thrive in this office culture. You also need to be detail-oriented. The consequences of our work impact our clients’ futures and we make sure that it is never because of a missed deadline, careless mistake or avoidable error or oversight.
To put it simply, we want you to do good work and lead our team to rally around our clients to help solve their legal problems. We want people who want to fight for human rights, the rights of children, and opportunities for all.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Coordinate Pro Bono Legal Services for the clemency project;
- Provide direct services and legal counsel for Survivors of human trafficking/ intimate partner violence, including habeas cases when the survivor is a child or under 24 at the time of the crime;
- Provide media and narrative change work;
- Work with our Director of Training to develop curriculum for defense counsel to represent survivors;
- Conduct intakes, provide legal advice and support, make strong referrals, and take on cases for representation as appropriate;
- Maintain organized client files, case notes, and database systems for caseload as determined with the Executive Director;
- Support PR, development, communications, and storytelling projects as needed;
- Oversee and supervise legal interns, mitigation investigators, MSW interns, policy associates;
- Engage in various forms of advocacy, including legislative advocacy, legislation drafting and statewide campaigns;
- Prepare written reports on matters of national and statewide importance to reform efforts;
- Develop a budget for the program;
- Outline a comprehensive 3-year strategic plan with input from the Executive Director/ General Counsel;
- Utilize partnerships to impact the greatest number of individuals with the highest levels of client care; and
- Conduct administrative tasks as needed.
- J.D. degree required;
- Licensed attorney, active and in good standing, in Texas;
- Experience representing clients in criminal and/or civil legal matters;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Proactive communicator with strong problem-solving skills. Ability to develop creative solutions, speak up regularly with new ideas, thoughts, concerns, and incorporate feedback and direction;
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to zealously pursue creative and collaborative legal services and strategies;
- Excellent time management. Ability to produce high quality work on tight deadlines;
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative;
- Enthusiasm for working at a new organization;
- Passion for social justice, criminal justice, and community-oriented work required;
- Excellent professional judgment;
- Ability to hit the ground working, multi-task, and work independently;
- Proficient with Word, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, electronic legal research, and basic case management; and
- Shares LSJA’s 4 core values: client-centered, truth tellers, give grace, fierce urgency of now.
Non-essential but highly desirable
- Computer literacy in additional software, such as, spreadsheets, databases, case management software.
- Proficiency in Spanish or another foreign language.
THE BENEFITS
- Compensation is negotiable based upon experience and is subject to review after 180 days.
- 100% paid health, dental, and vision insurance for the employee
HOW TO APPLYTo apply please send a letter of interest and a resume to Executive Director, Elizabeth A. Henneke, ehenneke@lsja.org. In the Subject line, type your last name in all caps – one adjective to describe you – Survivors’ Project. (Ex. HENNEKE-gregarious-Survivors' Project)
In your cover letter, answer the following questions: (1) What does justice reform mean to you? You should be detailed in your response, but don't go over two paragraphs. (2) Why do you think you would be a good fit for this nonprofit. (3) Finally, what is your favorite children’s book and why?
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis but must be received no later than January 1, 2021. LSJA has a strong commitment to diversity and especially encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.