Staff Attorney - Criminal Courts

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis County in Austin, TX is seeking a staff attorney for the Criminal Courts to practice civil or criminal law for Texas County or District government.

The role involves legal research, drafting briefs and motions, coordinating legislative matters, reviewing post-conviction writs and DNA motions, and advising judges on case law developments. Requires a J.D./LL.B. and six years of licensed attorney experience in Texas.

Qualifications

• J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school.
• Six (6) years licensed attorney work experience.

Responsibilities

• 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, jury charges, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Coordinates legislative matters for the District Court Judges which includes monitoring relevant criminal-justice legislation and drafting potential new legislation or amendments to existing laws.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on all post-conviction writ applications and DNA motions.
• Reviews and responds as appropriate to inmate mail.
• Promptly informs and alerts the district judges about any relevant case law decisions possibly impacting the criminal district courts and the decision-making process.
• Consults with the Court Administrator regarding legal options and legal matters related to the operations of the Criminal Courts.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting briefs and motions

Courtroom and oral argument

Post-conviction review

Inmate mail handling

Time management

Communication with officials

Six years of attorney experience

Legal research databases

Independence under pressure

Education

J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school

Tools

Legal databases

Job description

This is a staff attorney position for the criminal courts in Travis County. Practices civil or criminal law for Texas County or District government.

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.

• 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, jury charges, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Coordinates legislative matters for the District Court Judges which includes monitoring relevant criminal-justice legislation and drafting potential new legislation or amendments to existing laws.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on all post-conviction writ applications and DNA motions.
• Reviews and responds as appropriate to inmate mail.
• Promptly informs and alerts the district judges about any relevant case law decisions possibly impacting the criminal district courts and the decision-making process.
• Consults with the Court Administrator regarding legal options and legal matters related to the operations of the Criminal Courts.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND six (6) years licensed attorney work experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements

Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• 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: 501 W. 11th Austin TX 78701 - Blackwell-Thurman CJC

Department: Criminal Courts

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.