Attorney I-III

Travis County • Austin, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Travis County Public Defender’s Office is seeking Attorney I-III applicants for its General Adult and Mental Health divisions. The office provides client-centered, holistic defense representation and related support to youth and adults in Travis County. The Attorney is a key member of the team, providing zealous representation to indigent clients and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to client-centered defense and meaningful experience serving the office’s client population. Mental Health Division Attorney II-III applicants must have at least 18 months of licensed attorney work experience and should describe experience working with or representing people diagnosed with serious mental illness and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Attorney I handles the least complex matters, which may carry the least serious consequences, without supervision. Attorney II handles the least complex matters, which may carry the least serious consequences, without supervision. Attorney III handles those matters without supervision and, with supervision, handles moderately complex matters that may carry moderately severe consequences.

The position is anticipated to start as soon as October 20 (year not specified). Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some nights, holidays, and weekends. The position is based at 1010 Lavaca Street, Austin, Texas. A post-offer criminal background check is required. The office is committed to inclusive hiring and values experience and thoughtfulness working with people from marginalized communities. Applicants should be dedicated to sustaining an environment where staff and clients feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe.

Requirements

• Attorney I: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school, or eligibility to complete the degree no later than Summer 2027.
• Attorney II: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and 18 months of licensed attorney work experience.
• Attorney III: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and 3 years of licensed attorney work experience.
• Licensed to practice law in Texas; highly qualified candidates taking the Texas Bar by July 2027 may be considered for a delayed start, contingent on successful admission.
• Highly qualified candidates eligible to waive into the Texas Bar through the Admission without Examination process or Uniform Bar Examination transfer process may be considered for a deferred start, contingent on successful admission.
• Mental Health Division Attorney II-III applicants must have at least 18 months of licensed attorney work experience.
• Demonstrate commitment to client-centered defense, meaningful experience serving the client population, and ability and desire to work collaboratively on an interdisciplinary client team.
• Knowledge of criminal and civil law and procedure, including constitutional and statutory law; applicable federal, state, local, and county laws and rules; court and legal-system practices and terminology; legal presentation techniques; and collateral consequences of criminal-legal-system contact.
• Knowledge of socially and culturally competent representation of marginalized people, legal research, office software, business writing, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation.
• Ability to solve problems, make decisions, analyze facts and legal precedents, exercise sound judgment, communicate across differences, conduct legal research and analysis, present arguments and negotiate, work independently and on a team, manage time and multiple tasks, work under pressure, and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including occasional lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds and performing the listed movements and activities.
• Attach a resume to the application.

Nice To Haves

• Cover letter explaining interest in the position and reasons for wanting to work for the Travis County Public Defender’s Office.
• Recent legal writing sample.
• Hearing and trial experience consistent with years of practice.
• Ability to speak and write fluently in Spanish.
• Mission-aligned work or lived experience advocating for people or communities directly impacted by criminal, immigration, or indigent civil legal systems.
• Experience working with or representing people diagnosed with serious mental illness and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities, especially for Mental Health Division applicants.

Responsibilities

• Provide client-centered criminal defense representation to indigent clients.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic representation.
• Perform legal research and review legal records and documents for information relevant to cases or issues.
• Draft briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, contracts, other legal documents, correspondence, and reports.
• Oversee creation and issuance of legal documents, including subpoenas, motions, orders, writs, and warrants.
• Prepare cases for trial.
• Collect, organize, and prepare evidence, information, and other legal materials.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level