Attorney I - V - Protective Order Division

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,879 - 105,892; Full time

Job summary

The Travis County Attorneys Office protective order division seeks an attorney to handle moderately complex protective order cases in Travis County courts. The role emphasizes legal research, drafting, and courtroom proceedings with supervision according to the position level.

Attorney I–V levels require a J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and Texas licensure; salary scales vary by experience from entry to senior attorney. Overtime may be required for docket calls.

Qualifications

• J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Texas.
• Knowledge of civil and criminal law and procedures.
• Ability to conduct legal research and draft documents.

Responsibilities

• Conduct case assessment to determine grounds for protective order filings.
• Participate in daily docket settings and hearings in courts.
• Draft briefs, motions, subpoenas, orders, and related documents.
• Prepare cases for hearings and manage evidence and witness coordination.
• Represent the State at docket calls and respond to discovery requests.

Skills

Jurisprudence

Criminal law

Civil law

Legal procedures

Legal research

Education

J.D./LL.B.

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Legal software

Job description

The Travis County Attorneys Office protective order division represents applicants seeking to file a protective order in Travis County. The attorneys practice civil law, with knowledge of criminal law. The attorneys file applications in both County and District Court here in Travis County.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the fifth in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. This classification handles cases and matters that are moderately complex and that may result in moderately severe consequences without supervision.

• Conducts case assessment to determine if legal grounds exist for the filing of an protective order application
• Participates in daily docket settings and hearing in both County and District Court
• Performs legal research. Searches resources and studies legal records and documents to obtain information applicable to case or issue under consideration.
• Drafts briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Attends depositions and responds to discovery requests. Oversees the creation and issuance of legal documents, including subpoenas, motions, orders, writs, and other related documents. Represents the State at docket calls.
• Prepares cases for hearing. Collects, organizes and prepares evidence, information and other legal materials. Confers with witnesses regarding testimony.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Attorney I: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school. Salary range starting at $80,879.90 annually.

Attorney II: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and 18 months' licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $84,923.90 annually.

Attorney III: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and 3 years' licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $92,000.00 annually.

Attorney IV: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and 4 years' licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $95,000.00 annually.

Attorney V: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and 6 years' licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $105,892.80 annually.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Jurisprudence, criminal and civil law and procedures, including constitutional and statutory law.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Methods and practices of pleading cases and of effective techniques for presentation of cases in court or to effectively present facts and precedents verbally and in writing in law related matters.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Analyzing and appraising facts, policies, procedures and legal precedents in area of specialty.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Conduct legal research and analysis, both manually and electronically.
• Present facts, precedents and arguments verbally and in writing and apply negotiation skills.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well and perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Work well under pressure and exercise tact in trying situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: 314 W 11th Street, Granger Building

Department: County Attorney

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: [e-mail]

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.