HOUSTON VOLUNTEER LAWYERS ATTORNEY JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

HVL utilizes the pro bono delivery model to provide free civil legal services to low-income individuals who need assistance with a variety of legal issues. This includes criminal expunctions, family law, guardianship, estate planning, probate, tax disputes with the IRS, landlord/tenant disputes, homeownership, consumer issues, bankruptcy matters, and veteran-specific legal issues such as discharge upgrades and benefits appeals. The HVL staff attorney’s primary responsibility is to triage applicants seeking assistance, identify legal needs and viability, provide advice and counsel to clients, and mentor volunteer attorneys working on pro bono cases. This position requires a high degree of professionalism, autonomy, and self-motivation. 


Key Areas of Responsibilities

·        Provide legal consultations to individuals facing various civil legal issues,

·        Deciding whether applicant’s legal needs are appropriate for volunteer representation through HVL. 

·        Analyze, investigate, and prepare client matters for referral to volunteer attorneys.

·        Recruit and provide substantive mentoring to pro bono attorneys who are representing HVL clients, including potentially troubleshooting complex legal matters.

·        Develop partnerships with other community services organizations to reach target individuals in need of free legal services.

·        Develop subject-matter expertise in legal areas relevant to our clients to support HVL’s institutional knowledge on screening potential clients and supporting volunteer attorneys.

·        Maintain timely documentation of all case-related activities, assist with grant reporting activities, and other tasks as assigned by HVL.

Education and Experience Required

·                  Juris Doctor and State Bar licensure in Texas, in good standing.

·                  Excellent time management & prioritization skills.

·                  Strong legal analysis skills, writing skills, and communication skills.

·                  Comfort with working with veterans, including those who may be hospitalized and/or in declining health and those in recovery for substance abuse issues.

·                  Ability to engage compassionately with individuals facing barriers accessing legal services.

·                  Ability to manage a caseload in accordance with internal policies and procedures. 

To Apply: Submit a Cover Letter, Resume, and three Professional References through Indeed.com.  You may also email your Cover Letter, Resume, and References to recruitment@hvlp.org with the subject line “Veterans Staff Attorney Application”. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.  The position will be available until filled. 

Annual Salary and Benefits

This position is a flexible full-time position. Salary is commensurate with experience, starting at $65,000 for newly licensed attorneys. Attorneys with more than five years of relevant experience start at $80,000.

Benefits include fully paid health, vision and dental insurance; disability and life insurance options; a 401k defined contribution retirement plan with employer match available; paid State of Texas Bar dues and Houston Bar Association dues, professional development training, monthly parking paid, and reimbursed work-related expenses including work-related mileage. Staff are eligible for 80 hour of PTO per year. After one year with HVL, staff will also receive additional vacation hours and are eligible for 6 weeks paid parental leave. Staff attorneys may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan Repayment Assistance program through the Texas Access of Justice Foundation.  HVL employment is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.  HVL will remain on a hybrid schedule and seeks to benefit from the talent and expertise of those needing flexible work hours and accommodations. Staff may work up to 3 days from home with supervisor approval.


Houston Volunteer Lawyers is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. HVL does not discriminate against any person based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or other characteristics protected by law. Applicants committed to justice and equality from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities, and in particular those from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.