Staff Attorney

About Our Organization

Texas Appleseed's mission is to promote social and economic justice for all Texans by leveraging the skills and resources of volunteer lawyers and other professionals to identify practical solutions to difficult systemic problems like enabling financial access and eliminating predatory lending, ending the school-to-prison pipeline, encouraging fair housing, and reforming the criminal and juvenile justice systems. For more information, visit www.texasappleseed.org.  This position will operate out of Austin, TX and be supervised by the Criminal Justice Programs Director.

Position Summary

The Staff Attorney will work with the Criminal Justice Programs Director in pursuing advocacy and litigation strategies that advance Texas Appleseed's mission to change unjust laws and policies that prevent Texans from realizing their full potential.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Advocating for non-reformist reforms at the state and local level designed to limit the criminal legal system’s impact on poor Texans.
• Conducting rigorous policy research and drafting memoranda, factsheets, reports, and other advocacy materials.
• Reviewing and providing legal analysis on existing and proposed legislation, legal opinions and briefs, rulings from the Attorney General and the courts, etc.
• Interpreting data and the impacts of policy on outcomes.
• Developing and coordinating advocacy strategies and efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Speaking at public hearings and to the media
• Presenting to and educating various stakeholders and the public regarding our advocacy efforts.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Candidate Qualifications

• Knowledge of and passion for racial and social justice issues, including at the intersection of the criminal legal system.
• Law degree required.
• Legal or public policy experience preferred. 
• Must have strong attention to detail, excellent oral and written communications skills, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Experience working alongside systems-impacted individuals.
• Digital proficiency in the Google Suite, Zoom, and Microsoft Office.  
• The ability to manage and juggle various tasks and deadlines and the flexibility to handle the demands of the 2021 legislative session.

Background Information

Reports to the Criminal Justice Program Director. This position is based in Austin, Texas. This is a full-time position at 40 hours a week. Some mostly in-state travel required (post-COVID-19 restrictions). Texas Appleseed offers competitive pay, paid health, life, dental and vision insurance for full-time employees, a generous paid leave package, as well as retirement matching and flexible hours in an inclusive culture. The approximate salary range is $60,000 to $65,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Due to COVID-19, our office is currently working remotely, but this position will require working in the Austin office in the future. Texas Appleseed’s office hours are from 9:00am – 5:00pm each weekday. The position is an immediate opening until filled. Texas Appleseed is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

Please email criminallegal@texasappleseed.net (using subject line: Staff Attorney) your resumé, a cover letter, and one original writing sample to the attention of Chris Harris, Criminal Justice Programs Director. The cover letter should describe your interest in the position and include a detailed explanation of how your experience meets the minimum qualifications and prepares you for the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Our office is working remotely at this time: Please no phone calls. We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position. Applications and emails are only accepted at the email address listed above.

Careers Page

https://www.texasappleseed.org/careers