Assistant County Attorney - Defensive Litigation Division (Federal Civil Rights)

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harris County Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced attorney for its Defensive Litigation Division. This role involves representing the county in state and federal litigation, with a focus on federal civil rights cases. Candidates should possess a Doctor of Jurisprudence and have at least five years of legal experience. The position offers opportunities for professional growth and the ability to work on diverse cases, including trials and appeals.

Benefits

Compensatory time for hours worked over 40

Telework program available

Attractive paid leave programs

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar.
• Minimum of five years of experience practicing law, with emphasis on federal cases.
• Preference for candidates with federal litigation experience.

Responsibilities

• Handles first and second chair litigation assignments.
• Manages all aspects of assigned litigation including drafting documents and conducting research.
• Advises clients and maintains relationships with various stakeholders.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Courtroom skills

Interpersonal communication

Analytical skills

Education

Doctor of Jurisprudence

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Westlaw

Adobe

Job description

General Summary:

The Harris County Attorney's Office (HCAO) is hiring an attorney to join our Defensive Litigation Division which represents the nation's third largest county, its elected officials, and 18,000 employees in state and federal litigation. We defend suits ranging from state tort actions to federal civil rights suits, and other unique and imaginative cases.

This attorney will have the opportunity to refine their civil litigation skills from case inception through discovery and motion practice, trial, and appeal. This position has an emphasis on federal civil rights litigation, although state litigation practice may also be required.

In addition to the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek, the selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program, which currently allows employees to work from home a few days per week.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• First and second chair litigation assignments.
• Represents parties in litigation cases from intake through final judgment including trials and/or appeals as needed.
• Advises clients.
• Manages all aspects of assigned litigation such as drafting answers, issuing and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, motions practice to include dispositive motions, and other necessary court documents.
• Remains current on applicable caselaw and ethical obligations.
• Conducts research assignments.
• Presents or defends witnesses and evidence at administrative hearings, depositions, court hearings, mediation, and trial.
• Develops exhibits and witnesses for use in dispositive motions.
• Develops and maintains relationships with clients (including elected officials, individual employees and agency representatives), courts and court staff, the public and other work groups related to assigned cases.
• Performs multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
• Makes use of technology and other legal tools.
• Responds promptly to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
• Participates in one-on-one sessions with the supervisor and/or manager to give and receive feedback.
• Participates in Division staff meetings.
• Encourages and mentors attorneys, paralegals, interns, and law clerks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Supporting Job Application Documents:

Applicants should provide a cover letter, resume with three (3) professional references, and at least one (1) writing sample with their application.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• A Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law.

• Must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court.

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience practicing law, with an emphasis on handling federal cases.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent research, writing, and courtroom skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate and work in a collaborative group.
• Proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Westlaw, and Adobe.
• Motion practice experience.
• Experience conducting discovery.
• Knowledge rules of civil procedure and evidence.
• Analytical skills to include ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Occasional ability to work extended hours to accommodate case load demands.
• Ability to organize and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.
• Ability to comply with office policies and training requirements.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume"will not be accepted for qualifications.

• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated federal litigation experience.

Located in downtown Houston, the Harris County Attorney’s Office represents Harris County government, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters, including lawsuits. The office also provides legal advice to county officials and employees.

Position Type, Typical Work Schedule, and Work Environment:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional weekends and holidays as necessary. Hours may vary based on the business needs of the HCAO.
  

• This job typically operates in a professional office environment, and the individual in this role uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners/copiers, and phones.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• This is largely a sedentary role that requires standing or sitting for prolonged periods, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body, repetitive motions requiring dexterity such as keyboarding that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, communicating with others to exchange concepts and information, problem-solving, decision-making, organization, the ability to read/write, and the ability to manage workplace stressors such as adversarial interactions.

Compensation:

• The base compensation for this position will be determined on the candidate’s qualifications and the pay of other employees in the job function. Total compensation includes attractive paid leave programs, health benefits, and retirement plans.

• In addition, the position is eligible for the accrual of compensatory time off for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, consistent with Harris County personnel policies and procedures.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.