Interested in joining our team? All available positions and clerkships will be listed below.
The San Antonio Legal Services Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or AIDS-related illness.
Current Open Staff Opportunities:
Pro Bono Coordinator (Estates & Disability)
Staff Attorney (Housing & Homelessness)
PRO BONO COORDINATOR (Estates & Disability)
Full-Time Salaried
San Antonio, Texas
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Ideal Start Date: January 2023
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to a supervising attorney, the Pro Bono Coordinator plays a critical role in SALSA’s volunteer-based service model. Within SALSA’s Legal Team, the Pro Bono Coordinators have primary responsibility for working up new cases and placing them with volunteer attorneys who provide pro bono representation.
The position is full-time and non-exempt, with a salary range of $40,000-$45,000, generous employee benefits, and an outstanding team atmosphere. SALSA values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. The position is currently remote-flex, meaning flexibility to work remote except for certain scheduled in-person staff meetings and trainings, public facing volunteer recruitment and fundraising events, and in-person legal clinics.
Our pro bono coordinators are generally assigned to projects. This open position will focus on the following projects: Estates & Disability Programs (Wills Clinic, Small Estate Clinic, MAC Clinic), Don’t Bully Me Cyberbullying Project. For more information about these projects, check out SALSA’s website.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree required (this position does not require a J.D.)
- Demonstrated interest in supporting volunteers and commitment to SALSA’s service model
- Passion for access to justice for underserved communities
- Ability to speak and read a foreign language – especially Spanish– strongly preferred, but not required
- Excellent analytical skills, including facility with quantitative and qualitative data
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated capacity to build relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Experience assisting low-income clients and pro bono volunteers preferred, but not required
- Collaborative, has capacity to receive and act on feedback, able to play both leadership and team member roles
- Close attention to detail, organized, and able to manage multiple, simultaneous projects and deadlines
- Embraces technology, including leading-edge case management systems
- Existing connections and relationships with the bar/legal professionals in the San Antonio area, or in working with legal professionals elsewhere preferred, but not required
KEY FUNCTIONS
Recruit and retain volunteer attorneys in private practice to fulfill SALSA’s mission:
- Actively recruit volunteer attorneys and efficiently match volunteers with clients, including maintaining volunteer records to identify volunteer prospects for new cases;
- Develop new sources of potential volunteers, while retaining current volunteer relationships;
- Actively strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, including law firms, and participate in volunteer recognition efforts and events;
- Assist in planning, execution, and follow-up for volunteer clinics, trainings, and other events.
Guide and support clients and volunteer attorneys throughout the life of the case:
- Interview new clients to gather necessary information and documents; assess the legal merit of cases, with attorney supervision; and develop client relationships.
- Provide ongoing case management through the life of each case file.
- Facilitate the volunteer-client relationship and obtain case updates from attorneys.
- With attorney supervision, provide technical assistance to volunteer attorneys in case subjects, procedures, support services, and client interaction.
- Monitor cases for status reports, deadlines, and emergencies.
Manage a Legal Team special project:
- Administer a distinct project tied to SALSA’s legal work, which will include developing a deeper knowledge of a particular legal issue.
- Improve the project’s structure, methods, and design, as necessary.
- Examples of special projects include the Don’t Bully Me Cyberbullying Project, Wills for Healthcare Workers, Disaster Response Clinics and Language Access. New special projects are regularly considered and adopted.
Lead and support other efforts to further SALSA’s mission and strategic goals:
- Help implement SALSA’s strategic plan, including primary responsibility for designated task(s);
- Track metrics to meet goals and improve recruitment, retention, and case referrals;
- Develop and strengthen sources of “in-kind” case support services for volunteers, including interpreters and translators for language access;
- Provide support and information for SALSA staff working on grant reports and other organization-wide goal tracking;
- Be present and available at public-facing events to discuss SALSA’s work with potential volunteers and donors.
HOW TO APPLY:
E-mail cover letter and resume to Sarah Dingivan, Executive Director, sarahd@sa-lsa.org. No calls, please.
What to include in your cover letter: All cover letters should include a first-available start date and any non-English language skills. Applicants are invited to include a statement about how the applicant’s unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of SALSA’s staff team and legal practice.
STAFF ATTORNEY (Housing & Homelessness)
Full-Time Salaried
San Antonio, Texas
MISSION
San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) is a corps of legal volunteers coordinated by professional staff to provide free civil legal services to those with limited means and those who are vulnerable or at-risk.
PROGRAM AREAS
SALSA currently operates three priority program areas (Housing & Homelessness, Estates & Disability and Veterans Legal Services). We also take on special projects that involve critical community needs outside of our primary program areas. Our current special projects include the Don’t Bully Me Project (Cyberbullying) and Legal Assistance for Families in Uvalde, Texas.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Applicant must be able to interact with under-represented client population in a sensitive and professional manner. Applicant must be able to effectively manage legal volunteers serving this population and coordinate with partner organizations also working in this space, to include Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, St. Mary’s University School of Law Clinical Program and the City of San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department. Applicant will develop and execute pro bono operations relating to eviction proceedings and maintaining housing stability, including legal clinics.
*Program Manager position carries additional responsibilities involving expansion of SALSA’s Housing & Homelessness services.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicant must have a J.D. and be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. High Spanish proficiency is desired. 1 year of experience preferred, but not required for Staff Attorney position. Program Manager position requires at least 3 years of experience with eviction-related legal services.
START DATE
Negotiable, depending on candidate.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Starting salary between $65,000.00 – $71,500.00, depending on experience. Benefits include generous paid leave, company-paid medical, as well as access to dental and vision and significant student loan repayment options.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send cover letter, resume and three references to SALSA Executive Director Sarah Dingivan (sarahd@sa-lsa.org).
Current Open Law Student Opportunities:
SPRING LAW CLERKS
SPRING LAW CLERKS
Applications due: December 1st
Start Date: January 9th
End Date: April 28th
Housing Law Clerk – Open to current law students (1L, 2L or 3L)
Estates & Title Law Clerk – Open to current law students (1L, 2L or 3L)
Interested applicants should email resume and cover letter to ryanc@sa-lsa.org.
Cover letter should indicate which clerkship(s) applicant is interested in applying for and should discuss any relevant experience, including Spanish language capabilities and work involving low-income communities. If you are planning to seek externship credit or any other formal program participation or external funding, please include that information in the cover letter.