TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW is hiring a Staff Attorney for their Texas Access to Justice Foundation Law Clinic’s Foster Youth Transition Project. The TAJF Clinic Attorney will practice law, collaborate with clinic staff, oversee law students, and engage in community legal education in an effort to address the legal needs of youth who have experienced foster care and are transitioning into independent living. The position is funded by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation specifically for the purposes of working with foster youth in the following seven-county region: Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, and Tarrant. This position is funded only through December 2025 but may be subject to renewal.

The TAJF Law Clinic Attorney will:

·       Represent youth and young adults who experienced foster care and need assistance clearing legal issues that help them operate independently;

·       Work with TAMU Clinic Directors to determine if existing clinic resources can be used to assist the youth and young adults who experienced foster care;

·       Work with social services providers to ensure that youth and young adults who experienced foster care have the information they need to properly access public benefits, including their educational stipends and waivers;

·       Provide outreach to our youth and evaluate where the greatest need for legal assistance exists in our 7-county area;

·       Supervise the work of law students who work on legal matters to help youth and young adults who experienced foster care; and

·       Work with others to submit grant reports and evaluate which programs materially improve outcomes over time.

Required Education and Experience: 

·       Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

·       Five (5) years of experience in public benefits, family law, and/or working with youth in

a legal practice.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

·       Licensed by State Bar of Texas for a minimum of 5 years.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·       Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

·       Knowledge of legal research systems.

·       Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

·       Strong verbal and written communication skills.

·       Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

·       Ability to supervise law students and assign and review their work.

Responsibilities:

CLIENT REPRESENTATION - Represents youth and young adults who experienced foster care in a variety of matters that can include family law, name changes, criminal record sealing, appeals of denials of public benefits, administrative agency advocacy, and related court or agency appearances.  Handles or supervises all aspects of cases, including representing clients at court and administrative hearings.

STUDENT SUPERVISION - Works with existing Law Clinic Directors and law students to provide legal services to young adults impacted by foster care in a professional manner that upholds and enhances the reputation of the Law Clinic. Supervises law student work, including letters, emails, contracts, and court documents.

GRANT ADMINISTRATION - Provides organizational and administrative support in Law Clinic operations, specifically complying with grant reports and other requirements.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - Works with community partners to coordinate legal service deliver and community legal education.

What you need to know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload these in the CV/Resume section.

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who we are

At Texas A&M University School of Law (in Fort Worth, Texas) we instill in our graduates a knowledge of the law, key professional skills and core values that set the Aggie Lawyer apart. Texas A&M University School of Law is an integral part of Texas A&M University, one of a select few institutions nationwide to hold land grant, sea grant and space grant designations. As Texas' first public institution, Texas A&M offers 101 doctoral programs and 151 master’s programs, in addition to the J.D. law degree. Many of these programs have attained top rankings and national recognition for quality by the National Research Council (NRC).

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.

·                Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

·                12-15 days of annual paid holidays 

·                Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

·                Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

·                Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

·                Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.

·                Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time  for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.

 

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. Please apply by clicking here: https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/TAMU_External/job/Fort-Worth-TX/TAJF-Law-Clinic-Attorney_R-070170 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.