ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY II

City of Santa Fe Springs; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Gym membership

Job summary

McLennan County Criminal District Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced attorney to prosecute and defend cases across trial and appellate courts and administrative forums. You will also provide written or verbal legal advice, investigate facts, and mentor less experienced attorneys.

The role involves working under supervision to build knowledge and expertise, reviewing case files, and presenting and arguing cases in court. Strong research, advocacy, and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in family law, probate law, civil or criminal litigation
• Knowledge of applicable laws, procedures, case holdings, and departmental policies
• Ability to work efficiently in high‑pressure situations
• Analytical ability, diplomacy, and sound judgment
• Proficient verbal and written communication with courts, attorneys, investigators, police, and citizens
• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and MS Office suite

Responsibilities

• Represents the McLennan County Criminal District Attorney in litigation and negotiations of complex matters
• Gathers information from case files, exhibits, and documents and confers with opposing counsel and the Court
• Identifies and analyzes legal issues; conducts independent research as needed
• Appears in court to select juries, present and cross‑examine evidence, and advocate for the State
• Prepares memoranda detailing issues and recommended judicial action
• Mentors junior staff and participates in daily office operations

Skills

Legal research

Trial advocacy

Courtroom experience

Verbal and written communication

Judgment and discretion

Confidentiality

Analytical ability

Relationship building

Technology proficiency

Education

Law school graduate

State Bar of Texas license

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Position Summary

Prosecute and defend cases in various levels of trial and appellate courts and administrative forums. May also provide written or verbal legal advice to individual or governmental clients and draft legal instruments or other written documents with legal implications. Investigate facts involving criminal matters and bring about solutions to crime victims in a variety of forums. This licensed attorney generally handles criminal matters of great complexity and gravity and begins to take on some mentoring functions with less experienced attorneys. Attorney works under the intermittent supervision of more experienced attorneys in an effort to build knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Essential Functions

• Represents the McLennan County Criminal District Attorney in litigation and negotiations of many complex matters
• Gathers information regarding legal matters presented to the Court (e.g., motions, briefs, pleadings, etc.) by reviewing case files, exhibits, and other documents and conferring as needed with opposing counsel and the Court
• Identifies, researches, and analyzes legal issues; reviews legal authority cited by litigants; conducts self-directed independent research as may be needed to further clarify issues and arrive at sound conclusions
• Appears in court and forums to select juries, present and cross-examine evidence, make legal arguments, and act as an advocate for the State of Texas
• Identifies, locates, and prepares witnesses to present testimony effectively in court or related forums
• Counsels with clients, victims, or police concerning proceedings in court or related forums
• Independently makes decision to dismiss, proceed with charges, enter plea negotiations and plea agreements for each case
• Prepares comprehensive memoranda detailing relevant legal and factual issues, addressing the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments presented, and recommending judicial action
• Negotiates with others to settle litigation or other contested matters or to assist in solving problems with legal implications
• Provides self-represented litigants legal information on specific areas of the law through workshops, clinics and educational materials
• Assists in daily office operations, including oversight, training, and mentoring of new staff, interns, and volunteers
• Recommends policies, procedures, practices, and specific actions to best deal with critical issues
• Develops knowledge, skill, and expertise in applicable areas of law to keep pace with current developments
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Education

Minimum Requirements

• Applicant must be a Law school graduate, licensed or awaiting license by the State Bar of Texas and in good standing

Skills ~ Experience

Required:

• 1 year of experience in any combination of the following: family law, probate law, civil or criminal litigation
• Good working knowledge and understanding of and ability to apply the applicable laws, procedures, case holdings, and departmental policies is essential
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in high-pressure situations
• Possesses analytical ability, is diplomatic and tactful, and uses good judgment and common sense
• Proficient verbal and written skills to communicate information and directions to courts, attorneys, investigators, police agencies, and citizens
• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Possess a thorough understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, attorneys, investigators, police agencies, and citizens

Preferred

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish

Supplemental Information

Environmental Factors: Mainly indoor activity, except when investigating cases, interviewing witnesses, or preparing for trial, which requires some outdoor activity. Presentation of cases in a courtroom environment. Significant contact, with public, crime victims, witnesses, persons accused or convicted of crime, police officers, law enforcement or courthouse personnel. Courtroom appearances.

Physical Demand Requirements: Some light lifting, bending, standing, walking (trial presentations/on-scene investigations) and prolonged sitting. Vision (ability to read police reports, law book, and normal printed material), understandable coherent speech and hearing.

Hours / Special Conditions

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

McLennan County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical with an option to open a Health Saving Account (HSA) with a County-paid contribution of $2000 over a year. We offer dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), life and long & short term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care accounts. Employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) with a $2.50 County match for every $1.00 of employee contribution. In addition to these benefits we offer 12 paid holidays and a free gym membership program for health plan participants.

• Note: These benefits are for full time McLennan County employees only. Part time Mclennan County employees are only eligible to participate in the Retirement System. Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees receive a different benefit package through the state.