Attorney I-III - Travis County Child Representation

Travis County•Texas, TX

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

Travis County Child Representation provides high-quality legal representation to children and youth involved in the Travis County child welfare system. Attorneys build professional, trusting relationships with clients, collaborate with other professionals and community members, and advocate for clients’ needs in and outside the courtroom. This is the first-second classification in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications. The role handles moderately complex cases and matters that may result in moderate consequences, with supervision. Staff attorneys are expected to prioritize activities required by the Texas Family Code and the TCR Practice Manual. The work does not conform to a standard 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule; flextime and remote work may be used to support those priorities. In-office work is expected on Wednesdays for staff and attorney meetings. The position is based at 1700 Guadalupe St., 5th Floor, Austin, Texas 78701, and requires travel to various areas in Austin and surrounding counties in Texas to visit and represent clients. Physical requirements include occasionally lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity to operate a computer and office equipment. The work may involve standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, squatting, and client or customer contact. Employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside their normal job functions. Criminal, driving, and employment background checks are required. Duties, responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on assigned tasks.

Requirements

J.D. or LL.B. from an accredited law school.
Eighteen months of licensed attorney work experience.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Knowledge of the Texas Family Code, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and applicable federal, state, local, and county laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines relevant to the Office of Child Representation.
Knowledge of methods and practices of pleading cases, techniques for presenting facts and precedents, legal writing and citation standards, Travis County court-system policies and procedures, and Department of Family and Protective Services policies and procedures.
Skills in problem-solving, decision-making, analyzing and appraising facts, policies, procedures and legal precedents, verbal and written communication, and explaining legal terminology and concepts to children of different ages and developmental levels.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, conduct legal research and analysis, present facts and arguments compellingly, negotiate, and work as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team.
Ability to work compassionately and respectfully with clients, relative caregivers, and foster parents; manage time and deadlines; work effectively and courteously under pressure; and maintain effective working relationships with clients, agencies, County employees and officials, and the public.
Ability to travel to various areas in Austin and surrounding counties in Texas to visit and represent clients.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements and operate a computer and office equipment.
Criminal, driving, and employment background checks are required.

Nice To Haves

Hearing and trial experience consistent with years of practice.
Experience with the child welfare civil legal system.
Fluent Spanish speaking and writing ability.

Responsibilities

Meet with child-clients and provide legal counsel in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Attend court hearings on behalf of clients and advocate for their positions.
Review relevant records and case-related information.
Communicate regularly with clients and case contacts, including foster parents, kinship resources, DFPS case workers, service providers, and school personnel.
Attend case planning meetings.
Participate in out-of-court advocacy with service providers, schools, placements, and DFPS.
Draft briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, other legal documents, correspondence, and reports.
Respond to discovery requests.
Prepare cases for trial by collecting, organizing, and preparing evidence, information, and other legal materials.
Represent clients at bench and jury trials, including conducting direct and cross-examinations, admitting evidence, and making opening and closing statements.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.