0000008548.ATTORNEY V.DISTRICT ATTORNEY 'S OFFICE

Dallas County; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas County in Texas seeks an experienced attorney to supervise court operations and staff, handling felony prosecutions and complex civil matters. You will oversee case assignments, draft motions, present evidence, conduct trials, train staff, and communicate with victims.

Requires a Texas law license and 4 years of practice; lead prosecutor experience is preferred. On-site position with opportunities to mentor and lead judicial proceedings.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Four (4) years of experience practicing law.
• Requires current license to practice law in Texas.
• Experience as lead prosecutor for complex felony cases or extensive appellate work.

Responsibilities

• Manages the court docket by assigning cases and work to prosecutors and staff.
• Authorizes adjustments in offense levels and approves probation actions.
• Resolves disputes between court, defense, and staff; decides on actions for complex situations.
• Ensures records are accurate and processed per procedures.
• Performs legal research and interviews witnesses to evaluate cases.
• Drafts, files, and responds to motions and briefs for trials/hearings.
• Explains legal processes to witnesses; prepares them for court testimony.
• Gathers and presents evidence for trials or hearings.
• Represents the State in pre-trials and trials, including jury selection and opening statements.
• Assesses case strengths/weaknesses; negotiates settlements or pleas.
• Prepares documents for settlements; ensures filings and signatures per requirements.
• Conducts trainings for law enforcement and public groups.

Skills

Legal research

Litigation

Trial presentation

Witness preparation

Case management

Negotiation

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

Job Description

Supervises the operations of an assigned court and/or assigned cases including staff supervision, evaluation and training.

Management Scope: May generally supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Manages the court docket by assigning cases and work to felony prosecutors, attorneys and other staff.
• Authorizes reduction in level or class of offenses, recommends PR bonds, approves granting of probation and signs various types of dismissals.
• Resolves disputes between the court, defense attorneys and staff, and determines appropriate actions to be taken for unusual, extremely serious or complex situations.
• Ensures that records and documents are accurate, up-to-date and processed in accordance with standard procedures.
• Evaluates assigned cases or lawsuits by:
  • reviewing documentation,
  • conducting and interpreting legal research on applicable law, rules and regulations,
  • interviewing witnesses or persons with knowledge of the cases,
  • gathering evidence, and
  • determining the appropriate action(s) to be taken.
• Drafts, files and responds to motions, briefs or other legal documents for trials and/or hearings.
• Explains legal process to potential witnesses, prepares witnesses for court testimony and ensures clients or victims/families are kept informed on status of case.
• Gathers, prepares and presents evidence, exhibits and related materials for trials or hearings.
• Represents the State or clients in pre-trials, evidentiary hearings and jury/court trials:
  • conducting jury selection,
  • presenting opening statements,
  • conducting direct and cross-examinations of witnesses, and
  • presenting closing arguments.
• Assesses strengths and weaknesses of cases, negotiates settlements or plea-bargains and obtains approval, if necessary, of plea-bargain agreements
• Prepares legal documents if settlements or plea-bargain agreements are reached and ensures proper signatures are secured and documents filed as required.
• Conducts presentations at conferences and seminars; instructs law enforcement and other criminal justice personnel in legal aspects of investigations, prosecutions and other litigation; and speaks before community and citizens groups.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and Training: Graduation from an accredited law school. Four (4) years of experience practicing law.

Special Requirements/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Requires a current license to practice law in the State of Texas. Requires experience as lead prosecutor for more-complex felony cases, as lead counsel in conjunction with more serious or complex civil litigation, or extensive appellate work on direct appeals and capital writs.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

Standard office and court environment.