Posting updated on 11/19/2024 

About Us 

Texas Immigration Law Council (TxILC) is a statewide nonprofit organization advancing immigrant and refugee rights through innovative legal strategies, advocacy, and systemic change.

We are launching a groundbreaking Economic Justice Initiative that will fundamentally reshape how legal services reach noncitizen communities. Through this project, we will mobilize over 30 fellows – both attorneys and non-attorneys – at legal services organizations throughout Texas. This initiative goes beyond traditional direct representation. Fellows will pioneer new service delivery models, including being among the first to implement Texas’s new licensed legal paraprofessional program. By combining direct advocacy with community partnerships and technology solutions, we aim to create lasting change in how noncitizens access civil legal services.

The fellowship program represents a unique opportunity to join a cohort of creative problem-solvers addressing critical legal needs in employment, housing, healthcare, family law, and other civil matters. Fellows will be part of transforming the legal services landscape while developing skills at the intersection of direct representation, community lawyering, and service delivery transformation.

Fellowship Summary 

Fellows will develop and pilot innovative strategies to increase access to a broad range of civil legal services for noncitizens through this two-year fellowship. Fellows will be matched with a Project, each of which will focus on a distinct area of law. For instance, you may choose to work with children and disabled adults who need guardianships or with workers seeking to recover wages.

Fellows will be among the first to become licensed Court-Access Assistants or Legal Paraprofessionals under the new Supreme Court of Texas rules. You will also collaborate with project partners to source, train, and coordinate community Court-Access Assistants and Legal Paraprofessionals.

In this transformative two-year fellowship, you will be at the forefront of Texas’s legal innovation by becoming among the first licensed legal paraprofessionals and court access assistants. Through structured mentorship and hands-on experience, you will build expertise in community-centered advocacy and work directly with clients. The fellowship features ongoing cross-training between projects, exposure to multiple areas of law, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to scale your impact. Your fellowship cohort will gather for two major convenings, to share insights, learn from peers, and build lasting professional relationships. Throughout the program, you will develop the leadership skills needed to transform how legal services reach noncitizens across Texas. You will join a powerful network of change-makers committed to reimagining legal services delivery – connections that will enhance your career and impact long after the fellowship ends.

As you will be directly engaging with community members, all fellowship positions are on-site, with possible travel within Texas.

Project Placements

Please check our Project Placements Page at txilc.org/projects  to see our list of current projects. Please check back periodically for updates and additional information, as projects and project details may change.

Project 1: Greater Houston or San Antonio | January – March 2025 start date

• Preserve wealth for vulnerable & historically marginalized communities by providing noncitizens with estate, property, and probate matter assistance.

Project 2: San Antonio | January – September 2025 start date

• Support the care of children, youth, and adults with disabilities by providing their families or caretakers with guardianships and other legal services.

Project 3: Lubbock | January – September 2025 start date

• Provide trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault victims, particularly those living in rural areas. You will focus on family law, administrative law, and some elder law services.

Project 4: Austin, Houston, or Dallas | January – September 2025 start date

• Empower noncitizen workers and day laborers to recover unpaid wages, combat employment discrimination and workplace sexual assault, and get justice for labor violations.

Project 5: McAllen or Greater Houston  | January – September 2025 start date

• Serve the patients of a border community hospital with a variety of legal areas, such as family law, housing law, workers’ rights, and health care access issues.

Project 6: San Antonio | April – September 2025 start date

• Grow immigrant businesses through a law school clinic that will assist in business planning, entity formation and drafting and reviewing contracts. You will also create checklists for ongoing business maintenance and troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is highly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred.
• Deep connection to impacted communities through lived or professional experience.
• Commitment to increasing legal access, social justice, and economic justice, particularly in the context of immigrant rights.
• Experience with or interest in community advocacy and legal or social service provision.
• Willing to apply for licensure with the Supreme Court of Texas as a Court-Access Assistant or a Licensed Paraprofessional, including completing training courses and a background check.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to follow-through.
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently and as part of a team in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment.
• Represent high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of, and ability to work well with, individuals and groups from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and histories.
• Ability to work with people of varying viewpoints in a non-partisan manner.
• Please note: Certain projects may require or prefer fluency in Spanish or other language.

Compensation & Benefits  

Texas Immigration Law Council’s benefits are designed to support the needs of all employees, providing medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, generous time-off policies, and 401k. Ample professional development opportunities will be presented. Furthermore, TxILC will cover the costs associated with applications to the State Bar of Texas. The salary range for the TxILC Legal Access Fellow is $50,000 – $65,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.   

To Apply  

Please submit a cover letter, a resumé, and a list of three references to fellows@txilc.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until filled. Subject line should indicate: “TxILC Legal Access Fellow.” Please share how you heard about the position. Please rank projects in order of preference and preferred start date range when applying.

Chispas Consulting, a Latina-owned consulting firm in Houston, is assisting TxILC with recruiting.

The Texas Immigration Law Council 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, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applicants committed to equity from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities, including those from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.