ASSOCIATE GENERAL STAFF COUNSEL - Criminal Court Administration

Tarrant County; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarrant County seeks a licensed attorney to provide written or verbal legal advice to elected judges and criminal law magistrates on complex matters and draft instruments with significant legal implications.

The role involves advising on criminal and select civil matters, including post-trial and post-conviction issues, under supervision of senior attorneys. Requires JD and Texas bar licensure, with substantial experience in criminal law and litigation.

Qualifications

• JD required.
• 4.5 years of relevant legal experience required.
• Licensed to practice law in Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Excellent knowledge of current laws, procedures, and policies relevant to criminal and civil litigation.

Responsibilities

• Drafts and files pleadings, answers, motions, briefs, and responses for litigation.
• Develops and maintains a law reference repository for court findings and conclusions.
• Researches legal issues arising during criminal trials as time permits.
• Counsels clients within confidentiality on legal issues in all phases of litigation.
• Develops expertise to keep pace with current legal developments.
• Conducts investigations in criminal proceedings and seeks opinions from the state Attorney General when requested.
• Assists Judicial Staff Counsel Office with researching case law and legislation.

Skills

Legal drafting

Litigation

Legal research

Court procedures

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Tools

Westlaw/Legal research databases

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.