ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY II

McLennan County, Texas; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The McLennan County Criminal District Attorney's Office seeks an attorney to prosecute and defend cases across trial and appellate venues, including administrative forums, and to provide legal advice to clients and draft instruments with legal implications.

The role involves investigating facts, mentoring newer attorneys, presenting in court, and contributing to policy and training while working under supervision.

Qualifications

• Law school graduate, licensed or awaiting license by the State Bar of Texas and in good standing
• 1 year of experience in family, probate, civil or criminal litigation
• Strong knowledge of applicable laws, procedures, case holdings, and departmental policies
• Ability to work efficiently under high-pressure situations
• Excellent verbal and written communication with courts, attorneys, investigators, police, and citizens
• Confidential handling of information and strong judgment

Responsibilities

• Represents the McLennan County Criminal District Attorney in litigation and negotiations of complex matters
• Review case files, exhibits, and documents; confer with opposing counsel and the Court
• Identify legal issues, conduct research, and clarify issues to reach sound conclusions
• Appear in court to select juries, present and cross-examine evidence, and advocate for the State
• Prepare witnesses for testimony and counsel clients, victims, or police regarding proceedings
• Decide on charges, plea negotiations, and plea agreements with case-specific discretion
• Draft comprehensive memoranda detailing issues, strengths/weaknesses, and recommended actions
• Negotiate settlements and provide legal information to self-represented litigants
• Support daily office operations, mentoring staff and interns, and suggest policy improvements
• Develop knowledge and skills to stay updated on legal developments

Skills

1 year litigation experience

Analytical ability

Diplomacy and judgment

Verbal and written communication

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Education

Juris Doctor and Texas Bar eligibility

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

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.

• 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

Required:

• 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

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