MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION ATTORNEY

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston Legal Department seeks an energetic attorney to prosecute Class C misdemeanor cases and advise on municipal law. This entry-level to senior role supports a broad range of litigation, ordinance, and policy work in a dynamic city environment.

Candidates must hold a JD from an ABA-accredited school and be admitted to the Texas State Bar; Senior level requires 18+ years of practice. Flexible, team‑oriented, with a commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court.
• For Assistant City Attorney I: No experience required.
• For Senior Assistant City Attorney III: Minimum of 18 years of experience practicing law.

Responsibilities

• Prosecutes Class C misdemeanor cases arising under City Ordinances and state law.
• Researches and analyzes ordinances, statutes, case law, and drafting legal memoranda.
• Interacts with public, defense attorneys, judges, court personnel, police, and inspectors.
• Reviews, conducts, and prepares discovery; represents City in civil and administrative proceedings.
• Counsels city departments on ordinances and statutes; assists with City Attorney opinions and ordinances.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Analytical skills

Legal research

Trial advocacy

Office 365

Westlaw Edge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

Westlaw Edge

Job description

Position Overview

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: Assistant City Attorney I and Senior Assistant City Attorney III

Division: MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION

Reporting Location: 1400 LUBBOCK

Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM* *Subject to Change

About The Department

The City of Houston Legal Department strives to provide the highest quality municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees in the most efficient manner feasible through adherence to the following guiding principles:

• Quality & Service – Achieving high customer satisfaction as judged by our clients.
• Partnership & Teamwork – Working cooperatively internally and with our clients to achieve the City's goals.
• Integrity & Candor – Acting with a commitment to honesty and ethical behavior.
• Dignity & Diversity – Demonstrating esteem for the worth of each individual.
• Innovation & Imagination – Seeking novel and creative approaches to achieving the City's objectives.

Composed of approximately 100 of Houston's finest attorneys working in 10 legal practice sections, the OCA handles personal injury, commercial and civil rights litigation, major commercial and real estate transactions, and a diverse array of human resources, labor and employment matters, while also counseling the municipal corporation on economic development, constitutional, election matters, ethics and quality of life matters, and preparing City ordinances governing Houston and its citizens.

Every member of the OCA is committed to "Service Through Law."

Essential Job Functions

The City of Houston Legal Department is seeking an energetic, motivated and focused entry level attorney to prosecute Class C misdemeanor cases arising under City Ordinances and other laws of the State of Texas before judges and juries in the City of Houston Municipal Courts.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Performing citizen intake and direct filing of charges
• Researching and analyzing ordinances, statutes, case law, administrative opinions, rules of procedure and evidence and drafting legal memoranda
• Interacting extensively with the public, defense attorneys, judges, court personnel, police officers and inspectors
• Conducting, reviewing, and preparing discovery
• Representing the City of Houston and State of Texas in civil and administrative proceedings such as dangerous dog, animal cruelty and tow hearings
• Researching, analyzing, and drafting criminal complaints
• Performing legal research and preparing formal and informal legal opinions regarding criminal and municipal law
• Counseling the city's departments about city ordinances and state statutes
• Assisting the City Attorney and others with special projects such as drafting City Attorney Legal Opinions and City Ordinances
• Must be able to work flexible schedules including days, nights, and some weekends.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

Minimum Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION

Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

Minimum Experience

For Assistant City Attorney I: No experience required.*

For Senior Assistant City Attorney III: Minimum of 18 years of experience practicing law.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT

• Must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court. License to practice law in Texas must be kept current as a condition of employment.
• License for Assistant City Attorney I : Must, or within 6 months of the first day of employment with the City of Houston, become an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and be eligible for admission to Federal court. License to practice law in Texas must be kept current as a condition of employment.

PREFERENCES

Preference Will Be Given To Applicants With

• Familiarity with municipal or public law
• Comfort engaging with a diverse clientele representative of the City of Houston
• Experience in a trial-based law school clinic
• Experience in mock trial, trial advocacy, or moot court in law school
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical skillsExcellent research capabilities
• Above average academic achievement
• Practical experience with recent developments in Texas criminal statutes
• Proficiency with Office 365 Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, TEAMS, One Drive, Share Point, as well as Westlaw Edge and the use of other technology in the contemporary practice of law

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

GENERAL INFORMATION

Selection / Skills Tests Required

All applicants will be expected to provide a writing sample, transcripts, and letter(s) of recommendation.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

No

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade: Varies

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employment

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.