Staff Attorney - Houston

Workers Defense Project (WDP)/Workers Defense Action Fund is seeking a community-minded attorney who is eager to help build worker power in Texas. The ideal candidate will have experience working directly with low-income workers and/or immigrants, educating the community, and practicing employment law. They will also have strong communication skills -- in both English and Spanish -- that will allow them to develop relationships with WDP members and staff, partner attorneys, and allied organizations. A strong candidate should be committed to WDP’s identity as a membership-based organization and be interested in utilizing the law as a tool to support worker organizing, leverage integrated campaign strategies to further WDP’s policy agenda, expand WDP’s Better Builder® Program, and build worker power.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three professional references to jobs@workersdefense.org. Please include the position title on the subject line of your email. 

WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU:

• You have a clear vision for the potential to leverage legal strategies to support organizing and movement building work
• You understand Workers Defense’s identity as a movement building organization!
• You are a critical thinker who thrives in a collaborative work environment. 
• You have great “people skills” and management acumen to work with a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and members to move multiple projects forward. 
• You are skillful at juggling multiple priorities and not letting things fall through the cracks.
• You demonstrate an ability to employ both legal and community-based tactics to resolve employment claims while supporting the leadership development of WDP members

THIS ROLE IN ACTION:

• Supervising the provision of legal services in WDP’s Houston office by offering legal advice, referrals, pro se support, and direct representation to WDP members in strategic employment cases;
• Conducting legal research and writing to support WDP’s programs, campaigns, and operations; preparing resources and training staff;
• Coordinating with WDP staff to design and manage campaigns aimed at raising construction industry standards and expanding participation in the Better Builder® Program through legal and community-based strategies that support the leadership development of WDP members and advance WDP’s organizing and outreach efforts;
• Providing training sessions to WDP members and community allies on workers rights; designing and updating know-your-rights materials in both English and Spanish;
• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with attorneys, government agencies, and other community organizations;
• Recruiting, training, and supervising interns, law students, and volunteers; and
• Representing WDP in meetings with community partners, elected officials, funders, and the media, as needed.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• J.D. and Texas bar admission in good standing, or willingness to take and pass the Texas bar;
• Previous experience practicing employment and/or labor law;
• Previous experience working directly with clients, particularly low-income or immigrant clients;
• Strong proficiency reading, writing, and speaking both English and Spanish;
• Proven ability to think strategically, act assertively when necessary, and speak confidently in public;
• Experience managing different responsibilities, delegating tasks, and supporting the success of a team;
• Commitment to “movement lawyering” principles, and experience in or willingness to learn and employ both legal and community-based tactics to resolve legal claims and support organizing campaigns;
• Ability to work irregular hours, including occasional evenings and weekends;

WHAT WE OFFER:

• The salary range for this position is $63,000- $68,000, depending on experience. 
• $1,000 annual bilingual language stipend
• Employer-paid medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program to support employee’s mental health
• Paid leave consists of 10 days vacation, 10 days sick, and 5 days personal
• 26 paid holidays annually (including your birthday, the week of Thanksgiving, and our winter break from Dec. 24th through Jan. 1st)
• Every other Friday off
• Retirement plan with company match (as per our Personnel Policies Manual) 
• Six weeks of paid parental leave after probationary period (120 days from hire)

ABOUT WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT:

Created in 2002, WDP is a statewide, membership-based organization devoted to workers’ rights and advocacy, chiefly aiming to build power among Texas construction workers. Its mission – to empower low-income workers to achieve fair employment through education, direct services, organizing and strategic partnerships – is accomplished through a network of dedicated staff, volunteers and members. WDP has won numerous awards for its cutting-edge achievements within one of the country’s most difficult climates for workers. The New York Times described WDP as “one of the most creative organizations for immigrant workers in the country.”

ABOUT WORKERS DEFENSE ACTION FUND:

We center the issues of workers rights first and foremost, and engage working Texans around the issues that are most important to their families while supporting year-round civic engagement.

Workers Defense organizations are equal opportunity employers and actively encourage and recruit people of color, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals to apply.