Association of Women Attorneys Foundation Fellow - Job Announcement

The Association of Women Attorneys (AWA) Foundation Pro Bono Fellowship Program is a full-time one-year paid attorney position with Houston Volunteer Lawyers, one of the AWAF’s Fellowship Partners. Applicants apply to the AWA and then each organization interviews and selects one fellow who indicates an interest in dedicating their first year of practice to pro bon service. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and Houston Volunteer Lawyers is currently hiring for the 2024-2025 Fellowship year.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) promotes access to justice for individuals in the greater Houston area by assisting those who cannot afford legal representation in civil matters. It leverages the use of pro bono legal services to deliver client-centered free civil legal services. 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. HVL also provides a variety of support to self-represented litigants who are navigating the legal system without legal representation.

The HVL AWA Fellow’s primary responsibilities include identifying legal needs and viability of service seekers, provide advice and counsel to clients, assist in various with various civil legal cases including record clearing, evictions, and disaster relief, and mentor volunteer attorneys working on pro bono cases.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

  • Provide screening and legal consultations to individuals facing various civil legal issues.
  • Analyze, investigate, and prepare client matters for referral to volunteer attorneys.
  • Develop subject-matter expertise in legal areas relevant to our clients.
  • Maintain timely documentation of all case-related activities, assist with grant reporting activities, and other tasks as assigned by HVL.
  • Work alongside the legal team to develop supporting documents to assist pro bono volunteers and clients.
  • Assist with representing clients in various civil legal cases.

 

Education and Experience Required

  • Graduated from an accredited law school in May 2024, bar results pending.
  • A demonstrated interest in public interest law
  • Ability to empathetically engage with individuals facing barriers accessing legal services.

 

AWA Criteria

Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and philanthropic potential, a strong commitment to the profession, and/or the ability to overcome difficult obstacles. Involvement in programs that highlight advancement or support of women in the legal profession and n the community and participation in community outreach programs will also be considered. Financial need will also be considered.

 

To Apply

Candidates may apply through the AWA’s website at https://www.awahouston.org/awa-foundation under Fellowship heading. Candidates may also apply by emailing their resume and cover letter to recruitment@hvlp.org with the subject line “AWA fellow 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 provided for the fellowship is $60,000 plus benefits.

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 has adopted a hybrid model where staff may work from home part of the week. 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.