Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. (TRLA)

Founded in 1970 to represent Texas farmworkers, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) has grown into the nation’s third largest legal aid provider and the largest in Texas. TRLA provides free civil legal services to residents in 68 Southwest Texas counties, and represents migrant and seasonal farm workers throughout the state and in six other southern states. TRLA also operates public defender programs that serve at least 10 Texas counties, representing low-income and indigent people accused of felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile crimes. TRLA serves about 23,000 clients each year.

Program headquarters are in Mercedes, Texas. TRLA has offices in Alpine, Austin, Beeville, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Del Rio, Dilley, Eagle Pass, Edinburg, El Paso, Hallettsville, Harlingen, Nashville TN, Rio Grande City, San Antonio, Sinton, and Victoria.

With 185 lawyers, TRLA operates one of the largest legal services programs in the country and is nationally recognized for high quality, zealous advocacy for its clients. Attorneys will specialize in one or more of the 40-plus practice area teams addressing important issues such as civil rights, criminal defense, denial of the ability to vote, defense of border wall acquisition, disaster assistance, environmental justice, housing rights, family violence, consumer rights, farm labor, international child abduction, access to benefits, sexual assault, LGBTQ issues, and employment discrimination. 

TRLA provides services in direct civil legal representation, operates hotlines and other phone-based services, engages in community legal education, and supports other area service providers. TRLA collaborates with a number of nonprofit organizations throughout the state including domestic violence shelters, community development corporations, and housing and revitalization organizations to name a few.

TRLA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an equitable workplace.