PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE - NON-LICENSED ATTORNEY (TEMPORARY)

County of El Paso; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

County of El Paso seeks a temporary attorney to assist with pretrial and litigation tasks under supervision. The role supports assigned attorneys by preparing case materials, drafting documents, and coordinating with court personnel and investigators.

Requirements include a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, Third Year Bar Card preferred, and eligibility to sit for the Texas Bar or pending results. A valid driver's license and mobile device by hire are required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited school; Third Year Bar Card preferred.
• Texas Bar approval or pending results strongly desired.
• Must have or obtain a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Access to a personal mobile smart device by date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and organizes pretrial case materials; retrieves information from computer to assist case documentation.
• Contacts office staff, Court personnel and others to obtain information for litigation; reviews materials and provides summaries.
• Drafts judgments, orders, contracts, notices and other documents for assigned cases.
• May appear in Court with attorneys to take notes and follow up on items.
• Maintains records and prepares reports; responds to open records requests.
• Conducts statutory and case law research; prepares briefs and memoranda of law.
• Drafts motions, orders, warrants and special orders for attorney review.
• Documents work performed; ensures materials are stored per procedures.
• Responds to procedural questions; guides completion of applications or documents.
• Prepares trial notebooks; notifies attorneys of filings; coordinates with witnesses.
• Assists with discovery and coordination with law enforcement; maintains deadlines.
• Attends meetings and trainings; may represent clients under Third Year Bar Card guidance.

Skills

Legal research

Interpersonal communication

Open to bilingual English/Spanish

Time management

Client interviewing

Education

Juris Doctor from ABA accredited law school

Tools

E-filing systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

*This is a Temporary position not eligible for benefits*

Acceptable Experience and Education

Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited school of law; Third Year Bar Card preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, and other Requirements

Depending on area assigned: 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.

Approval to sit for the Texas Bar, or pending results from the Texas Bar examination strongly desired.

In order to access the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.

Essential Duties

Prepares and organizes pretrial case materials; retrieves information from computer to assist case documentation;

Contacts office staff, Court personnel, employees from other criminal justice agencies and others, as required to obtain information needed for litigation of cases; reviews, screens, and analyzes case-related materials for assigned cases and provides summary of facts to assigned attorneys; processes documents, including preparation, filing and issuance of information; obtains, indexes and outlines criminal histories, offense reports and all other relevant documents; analyzes jury lists;

Drafts judgments, orders, contracts, payment agreements, notices, and other documents for assigned cases;

May appear in Court with attorneys to take notes and follow up on items requested. Files documents with the court, and calls to obtain default judgments;

Maintains statistical records and prepares reports; receives and responds to open records requests;

Conducts statutory and case law research as requested by the supervising attorney; prepares case briefs and drafts memorandums of law in support of the attorney’s theory of the case, or to rebut opposing counsel’s theory;

Conducts research for criminal and civil charges, pleadings and other information in preparation for trial; drafts motions, orders, warrants and special orders for review and approval by attorneys;

Documents all work performed, and ensures case documents and other materials are stored according to department procedures;

Responds to questions either by phone, in-person, or email on procedural issues; reviews, provides guidance in the completion of various applications or documents and processes;

Prepares proposed motions, orders, and notices for attorney review; prepares trial notebooks; copies and files records; notifies attorneys of filings; contacts witnesses; prepares and submits investigative, social work and secretarial work requests, and follow-up on same as necessary;

Consults with attorneys and law enforcement officials regarding detainers and interstate extradition requests; calculates statutorily or court-imposed deadlines; ensures all deadlines are met;

Conducts briefings with attorney staff on issues raised in pending cases, including the writ of habeas corpus cases as well as the progress of the cases;

Maintains and organizes files and exhibits in preparation for jury trials, no-jury trials, and administrative hearings; maintains various databases; maintains statistics regarding caseloads;

Attends depositions, mediations, pre-trials, bench termination trials and contested hearings;

Interviews clients, families, and/or witnesses; may perform investigations on claims; performs discovery of relevant documentation associated with open cases;

Prepares trial docket; prepares various motions, briefs, and orders for the court files; prepares various forms during court hearings;

Works with all aspects of E-filings; may serve as office E-filing administrator;

Prepares financial calculations, pleadings and preparations for court appearances;

Maintains case materials, including case document logs; ensures all evidence for cases is accounted for;

Serves as a liaison with various other County facilities and departments;

Assists the public with inquiries and handles difficult customers and non-routine problems;

Substitutes, if assigned, for coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions; and may represent clients under Third Year Bar Card under direction of supervising attorney(s);

Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field(s) of practice;

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.

Other Important Duties*

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Depending on area assigned:

Reviews for accuracy and redacts court orders;

Screens cases for enhancement;

Maintains personal time and billing records depending on office assigned to;

Assists attorneys to comply with discovery requirements by cultivating contacts with the various law enforcement agencies to obtain information from the law enforcement agencies regarding law enforcement officers who may be witnesses on cases handled by the attorneys;

Prepares discovery notices for the attorneys’ review;

Maintains a database for attorneys regarding information about law enforcement witnesses which should be released to defense attorneys by the prosecuting attorneys; and

Assists with the reporting of actions taken by the attorneys on cases to the Department of Public Safety Criminal Justice Information database in Austin, Texas.

Summary of Position

The Non-licensed Attorney, under general direction provides support to assigned attorneys in necessary trial preparation and other legal matters or proceedings, and if the holder of a Texas Third Year Practice Card (Third Year Bar Card), provides representation to clients under direction of supervising attorney(s). Coordinates the work of assigned secretarial support staff. This designation is distinguished from the Legal Secretary and Para-legal classifications by greater work complexity and broader work activities.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Supervisor or Attorney

Directs: Non-supervisory position; however, may oversee the work and provide guidance to staff.

Other: Has frequent contact with representatives of attorney’s, attorney’s, court personnel, law enforcement, other government agencies, and other county employees.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Texas Family Code & Texas Rules of Civil Procedure; Texas Rules of Evidence; Texas Code of Criminal Procedure & Texas Penal Code; United States Constitution; Texas Constitution; E-filing for Texas; criminal litigation; the court system; legal terminology; relevant laws, rules and codes; Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines; law office management and administration; open meetings laws and Public Information Act; discovery process; current legal trends in the interaction of law and professional ethics; principle and practices of interviewing and conducting effective interviews and investigations; statistical and record keeping applications, including databases and spreadsheets; business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation; the principles and practices of effective customer service; principles and practices of training and employee development; English usage; grammar, punctuation and spelling; bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products. Skill/Ability to: acquire, maintain, organize, analyze and summarize case evidence; understanding legal terminology; case file examination for documentation accuracy; accurately and succinctly summarize legal information; perform legal research; maintain current, accurate confidential records and reports; explain court processes and actions; keep composure in order to assist high conflict customers; be able to plan and execute work both independently and as a team member; calculate fees; display an ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks; display a high degree of self-motivation; self-accountability; time management; make sound decisions in an expeditious manner; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; be dependable; schedule, and train; to deal with the public courteously and effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; type 60wpm; Pass a Criminal Background Check;

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:?

• 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 county organizations at all times; and,
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence