ASSOCIATE GENERAL STAFF COUNSEL - Criminal Court Administration

Tarrant County; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarrant County is seeking an experienced licensed attorney to provide written and verbal legal advice to Elected Judges and Criminal Law Magistrates regarding complex matters. The role entails drafting instruments with significant legal implications, including post-conviction issues, under supervision where needed.

The attorney will draft pleadings, research issues arising during criminal trials, counsel clients confidentially, and help establish procedures to handle heavy caseloads.

Qualifications

• JD required and active license in Texas.
• Minimum 4.5 years of relevant criminal law experience.
• In good standing with State Bar of Texas.
• Strong knowledge of criminal and civil procedure and evidentiary rules.

Responsibilities

• Drafts and files pleadings, answers, motions, briefs, and responses necessary to conduct litigation.
• Develops and maintains 'law bank' for court's findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Researches legal issues that arise during criminal trials as time permits.
• Counsels and advises clients within confidentiality regarding legal issues in all phases of litigation.
• Develops knowledge, skill, and expertise in applicable areas of law to keep pace with developments.
• Conducts investigations in criminal proceedings and seeks opinions when requested.
• Assist the Judicial Staff Counsel Office in researching case law and legislation.
• Establishes workable procedures to manage complex caseload.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Litigation

Legal research

Drafting documents

Oral advocacy

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD) degree

Job description

Provide written or verbal legal advice to individual Elected Judges and Criminal Law Magistrates regarding complex legal matters and draft legal instruments or other written documents with legal implications. This licensed Attorney generally advises regarding criminal and some civil matters of great complexity and gravity, including issues involving pending trial litigation, post-conviction forensic DNA testing, post-conviction writs and criminal mental health matters. Attorney works under the general supervision of more experienced Attorneys in an effort to build knowledge, skills, and expertise and consistently acts in place of a supervisor when an actual supervising attorney is unavailable or absent.

1. Drafts and files pleadings, answers, motions, briefs, and responses necessary to conduct litigation and proceedings in related forums.
2. Develops and maintains 'law bank' for court's findings of fact and conclusions of law.
3. Researches legal issues that arise during criminal trials as time permits.
4. Counsels and advises clients within the bounds of confidentiality, when applicable, regarding legal issues in all phases of litigation and in non-adversarial contexts.
5. Develops knowledge, skill, and expertise in applicable areas of law to keep pace with current developments.
6. Conducts investigations in criminal proceedings and seeks written opinions from the state Attorney General upon request.
7. Assist the Judicial Staff Counsel Office in researching case law and legislation relating to criminal issues.
8. Establishes workable procedures to manage complex caseload.
9. Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree required.
• 4.5 years of prior experience in the relevant area of law is required.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Texas and be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
• Excellent working knowledge of, understanding of, and ability to apply current applicable laws, procedures, current case holdings, and departmental policies and proficient ability to apply such to decision making is required.

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to bend, carry, keyboard, perform repetitive tasks, sit, stand, talk, use his/her hands, walk, and work alone.