AFJ Law Deputy Program Director - Texas (Texas-Based & Texas Licensed)

Job title AFJ Law Deputy Program Director - Texas (Texas-Based & Texas Licensed)Reports to AFJ Law Program Director FLSA Status Exempt

About Alliance for Justice (AFJ) and AFJ Law

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of more than 135 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. For more than 45 years we have been leaders in the fight for a more equitable society on behalf of a broad constituency based on the belief that all Americans have the right to secure justice in the courts and to have their voices heard when government makes decisions that affect their lives.

The AFJ Law Program is a new initiative designed to strengthen legal capacity within movements and provide strategic legal support to organizations advancing progressive policy goals. For more information, visit www.afj.org.

Building on the success of Bolder Advocacy, AFJ Law goes beyond providing technical assistance to providing legal advice on clients' activities. By offering critical guidance on the most challenging advocacy rules and regulations, AFJ Law empowers nonprofits to be both bold and secure in their advocacy as they fight to advance their missions, protect their communities, and transform our democracy.

AFJ Law provides legal guidance and review in the following areas:

• Public-facing material, including reports, communications, websites, etc.
• Advocacy campaign development and risk-assessment
• Navigating political activity restrictions
• Lobbying
• Civic Engagement
• Advocacy during election cycles
• Governance and organizational structure
• Organizational bylaws, policies and procedures

Job Purpose

The AFJ Law Deputy Program Director - Texas will be responsible for building AFJ Law's presence in Texas. This position will deliver legal guidance on advocacy related matters to 501(c)(3) organizations, with an emphasis on enabling each client to advance advocacy as part of its charitable mission effectively and in compliance with applicable law. The successful candidate will cultivate long-term relationships with client organizations, develop deep fluency in client infrastructure and program, and translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance that organizations can act on. Strong candidates will combine legal expertise with a genuine ability to build trust and understand the clients they serve. In addition, this role will carry the responsibility of building a new legal services program in Texas.

Duties and Responsibilities

Professional Leadership & Independent Judgment

• In partnership with the AFJ Law Program Director, set up and establish the AFJ Law practice for the state of Texas
• Lead and manage a direct legal services practice in Texas serving 501(c)(3) organizations, setting strategic priorities and operational direction in partnership with the AFJ Law Program Director with little day-to-day supervision
• Serve as primary legal relationship holder for a diverse portfolio of nonprofit clients, functioning as trusted outside counsel and proactively identifying legal risk before issues escalate
• Exercise independent legal and strategic judgment across a broad, complex caseload with minimal supervision, escalating selectively and appropriately
• Navigate novel and high-stakes legal questions in Texas by rapidly assessing applicable law, consulting peer networks, and delivering well-reasoned guidance under time pressure

Mission-Centered Legal Counsel

• Develop thorough understanding of clients' mission, programs, governance structure, and strategic goals.
• Translate legal requirements and risk considerations into plain-language advice that is grounded in each clients mission and operationally actionable for nonprofit leadership.
• Identify legal vulnerabilities that could impede mission delivery and proactively offer preventive counsel.
• Stay up to date on federal and Texas state laws, emerging legal issues, and regulations related to nonprofit advocacy and nonprofit defense.

Legal Guidance Related to Advocacy & 501(c)(3) Compliance

• Provide counsel on the boundaries and reporting of permissible lobbying and issue advocacy, helping clients maximize their advocacy activities within legal limits.
• Advise on voter registration, get-out-the-vote, candidate forums, and other nonpartisan election related activities, ensuring strict compliance with the § 501(c)(3) regulations.
• Provide legal guidance and review of written advocacy policies, internal tracking systems, and staff training frameworks.
• Advise on governance best practices related to 501(c)(3) compliance.
• Advise on public-facing material, including websites, reports, social media, and other communications.
• Provide legal guidance and risk assessments around programmatic and communications strategies.

Client Outreach and Engagement

• Proactively identify, engage, and develop relationships with local advocacy organizations and community partners to expand AFJ Law's client base and deepen its commitment to our clients' work.
• Interface with clients in person to support or conduct trainings, events, advocacy activities, and similar activities when needed.

Program Administration

• Maintain accurate, confidential client matter records and progress documentation consistent with professional responsibility obligations.
• Participate in intake and eligibility assessment of prospective client organizations.
• Contribute to AFJ Law's legal resource library, practice guides, and template documents for use across client engagements.
• Represent AFJ Law at community events, nonprofit conferences, and bar association activities to build awareness and referral relationships.
• Support the Development team in fundraising and grant management efforts and provide information needed for reports to stakeholders such as foundations, AFJ board members, and others.
• Support AFJ's commitment to advance equity in all aspects of the organization, and help create an organizational culture that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar admission in good standing in Texas; admission or eligibility for admission in DC.
• At least 7 years of legal experience, including providing legal advice to clients, with meaningful exposure to nonprofit law, tax-exempt organizations, or public-interest legal services.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound legal judgment to analyze complex issues, assess risk, and provide practical, mission-aligned recommendations that meet the unique needs and resource constraints of small nonprofit organizations.
• Expertise with federal nonprofit advocacy laws (i.e. tax code lobbying limits for public charities, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan advocacy) plus knowledge of related state laws in Texas.
• Familiarity with and respect for movement lawyering principles, including an ability to work collaboratively with advocacy organizations and community groups in support of their broader organizing goals.
• Demonstrated commitment to pro bono service, racial equity, and the nonprofit sector as a vehicle for social change.
• Established relationships with Texas advocacy organizations that could serve as AFJ Law clients.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyer audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and capacity to manage a diverse client caseload independently.
• Ability to respond quickly to questions and issues with succinct and practical advice and to provide legal counsel geared to the goals and values of nonprofits.
• Commitment to AFJ's mission and goals.
• Commitment to cultivating an organizational culture that is equitable, inclusive, and respectful.

Preferred

• Bilingual Spanish speaker.
• Experience advising nonprofits on lobbying compliance, public-policy advocacy, or election law.
• Familiarity with the progressive nonprofit landscape, state of nonprofit advocacy laws, and regulatory climate pertaining to nonprofit advocacy and tax status.

Traits That Will Make You Successful In This Role:

• Ability to pivot, prioritize, and understand the dynamic nature of this work
• Enjoy cultivating and deepening relationships with grassroots groups that are zealous and impassioned about the issue areas that they focus on
• Thrive in an environment where you are self-motivated and primarily work independently while contributing to a whole
• Understanding and ability to leverage the holistic nature of advocacy strategies

Compensation and Benefits

This is a union position covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, CWA Local 32035, which includes salary minimums based on job position category. This position is in job group 9 and has a starting annual salary range of $135,000 - $143,000.

We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits program, including:

Insurance

We offer medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as an employee assistance program for physical and mental well-being.

Retirement

Save for retirement with our 401K plan with a 5% employer contribution. Other insurances include life and disability.

Time Off

• Year 1 (0-12 months): Eleven (11) days of vacation each year (3.66 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 17 days
• Year 2-4: Sixteen (16) days of vacation each year (5.33 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 24 days
• Year 4+: Twenty-One (21 days) of vacation each year (7.0 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 32 days

Parental Leave

Eligible employees may take up to sixteen (16) total weeks of leave in connection with the birth of the employee's child, placement of a child with the employee for adoption, or gaining of a foster child. AFJ will provide eligible employees with twelve (12) weeks of fully paid parental leave for purposes of bonding with a new baby following a birth or placement of a child for adoption or gaining of a foster child.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so. On occasion, travel by car, train, and/or airplane may be required. Ability to work long hours when needed (though rare). All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position that can be fully remote from anywhere in Texas. Ability to travel to events such as staff retreats or other work meetings is required. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Some occasional evening and weekend hours will be required.

For employees located outside of Washington, DC or working remotely in the DC area, travel to events such as staff retreats and other work meetings will be required approximately one to four times per year.

Direct Reports

This position does not currently have any direct supervisory responsibilities but may in the future as the practice grows.

DEIA and Equal Employment

At Alliance for Justice, we celebrate the richness that our differences bring. We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are not just principles, but the foundation of our strength. Every individual brings a distinct and invaluable perspective, and we thrive when all voices are encouraged to speak openly, authentically, and with confidence. By embracing who we are and where we come from, we create a culture where everyone is welcomed, heard, and empowered to contribute to our collective mission.

Alliance for Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on actual or perceived race; color; creed; sex; age (18 and over); sexual orientation; national origin; religion; political affiliation; marital or partnership status; familial status; gender, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions; gender identity; gender expression; military or veteran status; medical condition or history, including cancer and AIDS/HIV; genetic information including predisposition or carrier status and that of family members; disability (mental or physical); physical characteristics or personal appearance, including height, weight, and hair (including hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture are commonly associated with a particular race or national origin); ethnicity; ancestry; status as a survivor or family member of a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; or on any basis prohibited by federal or state statute. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

AFJ/AFJAC shall not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or prospective employee due to actual or perceived arrest or criminal record. AFJ/AFJAC will not ask applicants about any arrests that did not lead to convictions. AFJ/AFJAC will not ask job applicants about their conviction record at the application or interview stage. After the employer has extended a conditional offer to the applicant, the employer may choose to run a background check and ask questions about the applicant's criminal conviction history.

Disclaimer

This description is intended to provide an overview of this position and is not all-inclusive. The incumbent in this position will be expected to perform other duties as required. Responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.

How to Apply

Please submit a letter of interest/cover letter. (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email Wes Lin, HR Director at [email protected].