DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - SENIOR TRIAL ATTORNEY
EP ENERGY
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Senior Trial Attorney under general supervision provides complex general counsel for various County Offices and staff; prosecutes criminal, civil and family law cases; defends and advocates for clients, and performs high-level non-supervisory legal work.
This position requires knowledge of county, state, and federal law, strong research and writing, and the ability to coordinate with law enforcement and victims; regular court appearances and appellate work are expected.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate with at least three years of criminal and/or civil experience.
- Active license to practice law in Texas in good standing.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Responsibilities
- Review case facts for legal sufficiency and draft motions and documents.
- Research statutes and case law and revise pleadings as needed.
- Prepare for and participate in hearings, trials and appeals.
- Coordinate with law enforcement, victims and witnesses for case preparation.
- Provide complex general counsel to County Offices as assigned.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Doctor of Jurisprudence and a minimum of three (3) years of criminal and/or civil experience;
Acceptable Experience and Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence and a minimum of three (3) years of criminal and/or civil experience;
Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities along with a Doctor of Jurisprudence.
Must have and maintain a license to practice law in the State of Texas and be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
Reviews case facts for legal sufficiency, drafts motion statements and prepares required legal documents;
Researches statutes and case law issues and revises legal documents to reflect new legislation;
Examines video, file and physical case evidence;
Confers with attorneys regarding case information and pleadings, law enforcement agencies regarding case investigation and trial preparation, and witnesses regarding case preparation and testimony;
Edits legal documents prepared by support staff;
Responsible for litigating routine to complex hearings, trials and appeals;
Prepares and presents oral arguments for routine to complex cases;
Frequent handling of confidential legal information and documents;
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;
Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
Represents the State of Texas in the prosecution of adult felony, misdemeanor, and asset forfeiture cases, including ancillary criminal and civil proceedings, filed in the justice, county, district, and appellate courts;
Reviews investigative reports from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and officers, and exercises discretion in determining which cases are accepted for prosecution or declined and appropriate criminal charges and forfeitures;
Represents the State of Texas in presenting cases to Grand Jury;
Appears in court and represents the State of Texas at arraignment, pre-trial hearings, trial, sentencing, post-conviction and appellate proceedings, and other related or ancillary criminal and civil proceedings;
Exercises discretion in determining appropriate trial or other strategies to dispose of felony and misdemeanor cases and engages in pre-trial negotiations and plea bargaining with defense attorneys;
Drafts and/or reviews the creation of notices, motions, briefs, orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents, correspondence, and reports;
Coordinates with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers; prepares them for court appearances; marshals evidence; prepares for pre-trial and post-trial motions and hearings; and issues subpoenas and other legal documents;
Appears, answers briefs, and argues on behalf of the State of Texas on appeals to the Eighth Court of Appeals, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States;
Performs legal research and keeps abreast of changes in the law;
Meets regularly with and works extensively with a variety of government, social service, and law enforcement agencies, organizations, and committees;
May advise law enforcement agencies and personnel regarding legal requirements for arrest or search warrants;
Employs sound and independent judgment when exercising prosecutorial discretion in accordance with the law and the policies of the District Attorney;
Exercises all prosecutorial discretion and performs all prosecutorial functions in the overriding pursuit of justice--not only for victims of crime and for the accused, but also for the people of the State of Texas.
The Senior Trial Attorney under general supervision, and depending on area of assignment: provides complex general counsel for various County Offices and staff, depending on area assigned the incumbent; prosecutes criminal, civil and family law cases; provides representation in matters, including civil, or prosecutorial; defends, and advocates for clients accused of a crime; performs complex non-supervisory legal work.
Knowledge of: County, state, and federal legal principles, practices, procedures regarding the court system; state and local statutes and codes; case law; rules of evidence; contract terminology and requirements; legal practices and procedures; legal terminology; department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment; County organization, operations, policies and procedures; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
Skill/Ability to: may require strong written advocacy skills and/or experience depending on placement needed within the office; possesses advanced litigation and prosecutorial skills, or equivalent specialized prosecutorial skills; operate a personal computer and various software applications; conduct research, develop appropriate documentation, assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands to meet scheduled requirements; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and customers to promote and support a productive work environment; defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions work efficiently independently and in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to respond effectively to customers and staff; exercise initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines in performance of daily duties; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports; and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work. Pass a background investigation.
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and
- Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
- Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
- Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
- Maintain strict confidentiality;
- Project positive support of their department and all organizations receiving El Paso County service at all times; and;
- Maintain and enhance the County's commitment to customer service excellence.
El Paso County offers a very comprehensive benefit package (some benefits may not apply to part time or temporary employees) consisting of the following:
- 16 holidays per year as recognized.
- Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.
- 10 days (1 through less than 5 years of service)
- 15 days (5 through less than 15 years of service)
- 20 days (15 years of service or over)
- Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.
- Military Leave – 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service
- Bereavement Leave – 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family members and 4 hours for other family members and friends.
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
- EE Only $5.34
- EE & Spouse $145.30
- EE & Children $101.93
- EE & Family $200.09
- EE Only - $5.02
- EE & Spouse - $136.58
- EE & Children - $95.81
- EE & Family - $188.09
- EE Only - $35.70
- EE & Spouse - $226.41
- EE & Children - $174.96
- EE & Family - $322.25
- EE Only - $33.56
- EE & Spouse - $212.83
- EE & Children - $164.46
- EE & Family - $302.92
Retirement benefits are provided by the Texas County and District Retirement Fund (TCDRS). Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the County matches 250% upon eligible retirements.
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.
Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.
The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.
Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of counseling services.
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.
Reimbursement up to $2000 per calendar year for eligible education expenses.
The Employee Fitness and Wellness Center opened in October 2021 at the County Courthouse. The cost is $5 per employee per month.
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