Attorney V (Internal Candidates Only)

Travis County•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This staff attorney position provides legal research and answers legal questions related to contracts, juvenile law, criminal law, and administrative law for TCJPD staff, administrators, the General Counsel, and the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer. The attorney may draft legal memoranda, MOUs and interlocal agreements, contracts, and other legal documents; respond to discovery, open-records requests, subpoenas, writs, and warrants; and gather, organize, and prepare records and other legal materials for court. The role may interface with the County Attorney’s Open Records Division and assist the County Attorney’s Civil Litigation Division with TCJPD court matters. The position addresses juvenile records and files, including records-release requests, sealing TCJPD records, and records management. It also provides ongoing legal training to TCJPD staff through virtual and classroom courses on contracts, legislation, juvenile justice, child welfare, and other relevant legal topics. As needed, the attorney assists with legislative bill analyses, tracking, and summaries during and after legislative sessions. This is the fifth of seven attorney-related classifications. It handles moderately complex cases and matters that may have moderately severe consequences, without supervision. The role performs legal research, drafts legal documents and correspondence, takes depositions, responds to discovery, oversees the creation and issuance of legal documents, represents the State at docket calls, and prepares cases for trial. Other job-related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

J.D. or LL.B. from an accredited law school.
Six years of licensed attorney work experience.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Knowledge of jurisprudence, criminal and civil law and procedures, including constitutional and statutory law.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, and county laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Knowledge of methods and practices for pleading cases and effectively presenting cases or legal facts and precedents verbally and in writing.
Knowledge of court-system policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology.
Knowledge of computer equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and a variety of software packages.
Knowledge of business letter writing, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation.
Ability to conduct legal research and analysis manually and electronically.
Ability to analyze and appraise facts, policies, procedures, and legal precedents in the area of specialty.
Skill in problem-solving, decision-making, verbal and written communication, and presentations.
Ability to present facts, precedents, and arguments verbally and in writing, and apply negotiation skills.
Ability to work independently, manage time, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
Ability to work under pressure and exercise tact in trying situations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, outside-agency representatives, County employees and officials, and the public.
May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring confidential handling of certain health information.
Ability to perform the physical functions listed in the job description, including lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds occasionally and operating a computer and office equipment.

Responsibilities

Perform legal research and answer legal questions concerning contracts, juvenile law, criminal law, and administrative law.
Draft legal memoranda, MOUs and interlocal agreements, contracts, briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, correspondence, reports, and other legal documents.
Respond to discovery requests and open-records requests, including helping TCJPD staff gather relevant records for public-information requests.
Respond to subpoenas, writs, and warrants, and collect, organize, and prepare evidence, information, and other legal materials for court.
Interface with the County Attorney’s Open Records Division as needed.
Assist the County Attorney’s Civil Litigation Division in preparing court-related matters pertaining to TCJPD.
Manage or address juvenile-record matters, including records-release requests, sealing TCJPD records, and records management.
Prepare and present virtual and classroom legal training for TCJPD staff on relevant topics.
Assist with legislative bill analyses, bill tracking, and bill summaries during and after legislative sessions as needed.
Take depositions and oversee the creation and issuance of legal documents, official policies, and related materials.
Represent the State at docket calls and prepare cases for trial.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.