NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE has created NDS Texas, a new client-centered, holistic public defense office to address the humanitarian crisis at the southern border by providing criminal defense representation and Padilla consultations to individuals arrested by Texas law enforcement along that border through Operation Lone Star. 

NDS represents non-citizen clients who are charged with crimes and who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs. NDS Texas is funded by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

The first NDS Texas office is based in San Antonio and opened in January 2022. A second office will open in Houston in August or September 2022. Flexible work arrangements or telecommuting may be available for the right candidate. Periodic travel to border counties and the jails will be required. Most legal proceedings will initially occur via Zoom.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Embrace NDS’ philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence.
2. Provide vigorous representation with energy and enthusiasm to clients.
3. Advise non-citizen clients regarding the full range of immigration consequences associated with contacts with the criminal legal system and consult with the criminal defense attorneys to mitigate potential immigration consequences.
4. Interview clients and their families, conduct legal research, and write pre-pleading letters, motions, and pre-sentencing memoranda on behalf of clients.
5. Coordinate work performed by team members (investigators, social workers, client advocate, team administrators, and interns).
6. Work with criminal defense attorneys to obtain meaningful, comprehensive legal outcomes for clients.
7. File motions, briefs, and other related documents on a frequent and timely basis.
8. Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations and arguments in criminal cases.
9. Be responsive to and communicate clearly with clients who are often under great stress.

For more information about NDS, please visit our website at www.neighborhooddefender.org .

Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS values and specifically seeks applicants who are people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non? conforming, and gender fluid people.

The ideal candidate will bring:

1. A demonstrated commitment to criminal and immigration justice, indigent defense, racial equity, social justice issues, and a substantive understanding of the biases impacting our clients.
2. An ability to quickly build relationships with people of varying identities, income levels, races, and ethnicities.
3. Experience representing clients in immigration proceedings and knowledge of immigration procedure.
4. A track record of strategically guiding casework, projects, and/or relationships; applying good and practiced judgment; and routinely pushing through roadblocks to achieve goals.
5. A high level of organizational and administrative skills to handle a high caseload.
6. Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
7. An ability to work cooperatively in a team setting.
8. A license to practice law in Texas or in another state; and/or the capability of becoming licensed to practice law in the State of Texas or another state within six months. Attorneys admitted to the Texas Bar and with experience in immigration court are strongly encouraged to apply.
9. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Spanish language fluency is strongly preferred.