Abogado de Personal

ROLE: STAFF ATTORNEY

LOCATION: AUSTIN or HOUSTON, TX

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED

Workers Defense Project (a 501(c)(3) organization) is seeking a community-minded attorney who is eager to support Latine immigrant workers in building power in Texas. The ideal candidate will have experience working directly with low-income workers and/or immigrants, educating the community, and practicing employment and labor law. They will also have strong communication skills — in both English and Spanish — that will allow them to develop relationships with Workers Defense members and staff, partner attorneys, and allied organizations. A strong candidate should be committed to Workers Defense’s identity as a member-led organization and be interested in utilizing the law as a tool to organize workers in campaigns that protect immigrants’ rights, raise industry standards, and build a base of worker advocates.

CÓMO APLICAR:

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. 

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PORQUE SERÍAS NUESTRO CANDIDATO IDEAL:

• 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 Workers Defense members

FUNCIONES DEL CARGO

• Managing the provision of legal services in Workers Defense’s Austin or Houston office by supervising a team of staff, interns, and volunteers. 
• Providing legal advice, referrals, pro se support, and direct representation to Workers Defense members in strategic employment cases in Austin, Dallas, and Houston metro areas;
• Conducting legal research and writing to support Workers Defense’s programs, campaigns, and operations; preparing resources and training staff;
• Collaborating with Workers Defense organizers, policy coordinators, communications team, and other staff to design and execute campaigns aimed at raising workers rights standards in low-wage industries through legal and community-based strategies   
• Recruiting, training, and supervising Workers Defense members who volunteer as Defensores Laborales to assist fellow members in employment disputes and educate one another on labor rights; overseeing a monthly employment rights clinic that occurs on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm;
• Providing training sessions to Workers Defense members and community allies on workers rights; designing and updating know-your-rights materials in both English and Spanish;
• Cultivating strong working relationships with local, state and federal agencies, community organizations, and partner attorneys; and
• Representing Workers Defense in meetings with community partners, elected officials, funders, and the media, as needed.

LO QUE NECESITAS:

• 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;
• Capacidad para pensar estratégicamente, actuar con asertividad cuando sea necesario y hablar con confianza en público;
• 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;
• Valid Texas driver’s license and insured vehicle.

NUESTRA OFERTA:

• The salary range for this position begins at $67,000 and increases depending on experience. 
• $1,000 annual bilingual language stipend.
• Seguro médico, oftalmológico, dental y de vida a cargo de la empresa.
• Paid leave consists of 10 days vacation, 10 days sick, and 5 days personal. 
• Paid holidays in addition to office closures the week of Thanksgiving and  December 23rd through 31st.
• Every other Friday off.
• Retirement plan with company match of 3% (as per our Personnel Policies Manual). 
• Parental leave of 12 weeks paid (after probationary period – 90 days from hire).

ACERCA DEL PROYECTO DE DEFENSA LABORAL:

Creada en 2002, WDP es una organización estatal basada en la afiliación, dedicada a los derechos y la defensa de los trabajadores, cuyo principal objetivo es crear poder entre los trabajadores del sector de la construcción de Texas. Su misión es empoderar a los trabajadores con bajos ingresos para lograr un empleo justo mediante la educación, los servicios directos, la organización y asociaciones estratégicas; a través de una red de personal, voluntarios y miembros dedicados. WDP ha ganado numerosos premios por sus logros de vanguardia dentro de uno de los ambientes más difíciles para los trabajadores en el país. El New York Times describió a WDP como “una de las organizaciones más creativas para trabajadores inmigrantes en el país”.

ACERCA DEL FONDO DE ACCIÓN PARA LA DEFENSA LABORAL:

Nos centramos en los problemas de los derechos de los trabajadores ante todo, e involucramos a los trabajadores de Texas en los temas más importantes para sus familias, mientras apoyamos la participación cívica durante todo el año.