Assistant County Attorney - Environmental Division

Harris County•Houston, TX

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Harris County Attorney’s Office is seeking an attorney to join its Environmental Division, specializing in state court enforcement of environmental laws and related county regulations, primarily fire code and floodplain enforcement. Under the supervision of the Division Director and Deputy Division Director, the attorney manages an active caseload representing the County’s interests in state court enforcement matters. The role involves case development, legal research, developing legal theories, drafting pleadings and briefs, and handling litigation. The attorney may accrue compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek. The Environmental Division operates on a flexible hybrid remote schedule, and the selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program. Harris County Attorney’s Office is the chief civil law office for Harris County, Texas. It represents Harris County government and several county agencies in civil legal matters and advises elected and appointed officials, departments, and employees. The office has more than 300 attorneys and staff and handles a broad range of public law matters.

Requirements

Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association-accredited college of law.
Active Texas Bar license in good standing.
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate and work collaboratively in a group.
Proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Westlaw, Microsoft Word, Adobe, and PowerPoint.
Knowledge of Texas and federal environmental statutes and regulations, the Texas and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct.
Ability to comply with Harris County Personnel Policies and Procedures and County Attorney policies.
Ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses and exercise good judgment.
Ability to work occasional extended hours to accommodate caseload demands.
Ability to organize and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.
Ability to comply with office training requirements.
Applicants should provide a cover letter, resume, three professional references, unofficial law school transcript, and at least one writing sample with their application.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal and technical research and review case law as issues develop in cases.
Use databases, such as EJScreen, to assist in developing cases.
Investigate facts and obtain evidence in cases.
Work with technical experts to develop cases.
Draft legal documents, including petitions, discovery, motions, and briefs.
Prepare for court hearings and trial.
Develop and manage relationships with clients, courts, the public, and other work groups related to assigned cases.
Monitor cases to ensure deadlines are met.
Review and respond to motions filed by opposing counsel.
Manage multiple projects while balancing priorities and maintaining productivity.
Maintain proficiency with technology and legal tools, including Westlaw, Microsoft Word, Adobe, and PowerPoint.
Maintain electronic case files in OpenText.
Respond promptly to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
Participate in one-on-one sessions with the Division Director or Deputy Director to give and receive feedback.
Participate in Division staff meetings.
Collaborate with colleagues on developing new and pending matters.
Encourage and mentor attorneys, paralegals, interns, and law clerks.
Perform other duties as assigned.