Attorney

** New Friends New Life was named D CEO's 2024 Mid-Size Organization of the Year **

New Friends New Life restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women, and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence.  By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities.

Position Overview

The Attorney will provide legal advice and counsel to our adult female members who are experiencing issues with a variety of legal issues including but not limited to criminal background records, child custody, debt collection, guardianship, adult custody, obtaining a driver’s license, disability appeals, landlord/lease matters, and more.

Reporting Relationship

The Attorney reports directly to the Chief Programs Officer.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides trauma-informed legal services to members who are actively engaged in our adult program including court representation, when necessary.
• Supervises one paralegal.
• Conducts research and investigatory duties to gather member criminal records and develops a framework for the successful expungement of charges.
• Provides legal advice and representation to clients experiencing a variety of issues including but not limited to child custody, debt collection, guardianship, adult custody, obtaining a drivers license, landlord/lease, disability appeals, etc.
• Drafts legal documents which may include motions, decrees, orders, letters, pleadings, and other written documents related to assigned cases or projects.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment and maintains general contact with clients and their case manager.
• Works closely with community-based organizations that provide services to our client communities to identify legal issues important to survivors.
• Makes and follows up on referrals of clients to appropriate alternative or additional sources of legal assistance.
• Stays abreast of changes in legal framework as they relate to the duties of the position and our client and agency needs.
• Creates and maintains caseload data and statistics in accordance with grant requirements and the needs of the agency.
• Participates in advocacy and may facilitate presentations to community groups.
• Participates in in-house trainings, monthly staff meetings and agency events.
• Performs other legal related duties as needed.

Required Job Qualifications, Education, Skills:

• Law Degree (JD) from an ABA-approved program.

• Licensed by the Texas State Bar Association.

• Experience in criminal and family law

• A strong commitment to serving others and ability to work compassionately and respectfully with clients in crisis.

• Prior legal services, public interest, or volunteer experience serving low-income individuals.

• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment while maintaining client confidentiality, integrity, and discretion in the performance of all duties.

• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent computer skills including all Microsoft software.

NFNL offers a highly competitive benefits package.  We promote an overall healthy work/life balance by offering exceptional PTO policies, extra paid holidays and extended paid days off between Christmas and NYE.  We take great care of our employees so they can take great care of our clients!