Assistant Public Defender - Felony Attorney IV – Public Defender’s Office – TIDC-Grant Funded – J10061 - 25300

Nueces County•Village of Fonda, NY

About The Position

The Nueces County Public Defender’s Office is seeking an Assistant Public Defender – Felony Attorney IV to provide a full range of legal services to indigent clients facing felony charges. The primary responsibility is handling felony cases, though the attorney may also handle misdemeanor, juvenile, and appeal cases. The employee must be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies as directed by the Department Head. The role involves evaluating, preparing, and managing cases; researching legal issues; drafting and arguing motions, responses, and briefs; investigating cases; interviewing relevant individuals; and representing clients in court proceedings, including pretrial hearings, evidentiary hearings, and trials. The attorney communicates with clients and other case participants, maintains legal files and records, collaborates with the public defender team and service providers, and participates in training and continuing education. The position includes supervisory duties over legal secretaries, paralegals, and investigators, including assigning and reviewing work, training employees, directing work, and resolving problems. The attorney may also help train less experienced public defenders as requested by the Chief Public Defender.

Requirements

J.D. or L.L.B. degree from an accredited law school.
License from the Texas State Bar to practice law in Texas.
Texas Operator's Driver’s License.
Preferably three years of work experience as an attorney, preferably in criminal law.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal law and trial procedures.
Ability to evaluate facts, procedures, and legal precedents relevant to complex court cases.
Skill in making persuasive legal arguments and conducting legal research.
Knowledge of investigative tools and techniques.
Ability to use computers and relevant software programs.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; respond to inquiries or complaints; write speeches and articles; and present information effectively.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts and apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, interpret technical instructions, and handle abstract and concrete variables.
Any equivalent combination of experience and training providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered for current Nueces County employees only.
Any employee driving a vehicle on official business must have a driving record meeting County and insurance carrier standards.
Attorneys use their own private vehicle rather than a county car.

Nice To Haves

Three years of attorney work experience, preferably in criminal law.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, prepare, and manage cases.
Research case law and legal issues; draft motions, responses, and briefs, and argue them in court.
Conduct background investigations and, where appropriate, interview witnesses, victims, and law enforcement officers.
Represent clients in pretrial proceedings, evidentiary hearings, and jury or bench trials.
Communicate case evaluations and status to clients effectively and promptly.
Communicate with judges, court staff, prosecutors, family members, witnesses, and other interested parties.
Participate in training and continuing education to stay informed about court decisions, laws, rules, and regulations.
Organize and prioritize work to meet filing deadlines and court appearances.
Collaborate with the public defender team and relevant service providers.
Supervise and delegate responsibilities to legal secretaries and investigators.
Assign and review work of legal secretaries, paralegals, and investigators; train employees, direct work, and resolve problems.
Assist in training less experienced public defenders as requested by the Chief Public Defender.
Maintain legal files and records and document case evaluations and activity.
Be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies as directed by the Department Head.
Perform other duties as assigned.