Staff Attorney

Cameron County•Brownsville, TX

About The Position

Serves as legal counsel to the Cameron County Judge and Commissioners' Court, providing legal services and advice on matters affecting the County. Performs complex professional legal work in civil matters, exercising substantial independence in legal research, preparation for trials and administrative hearings, and advising elected officials, appointed department heads, and their designees. The position reports to the Chief Legal Counsel. The Staff Attorney represents the County in general legal matters and civil and administrative proceedings, supervises clerical staff supporting County legal services, conducts quasi-judicial hearings, and advises boards and administrative officials on hearing-related decisions. The role also includes preparing legal opinions and proposed legislation materials, advising on County rules and regulations, representing the County in civil litigation, reviewing and approving contracts and agreements, advising on property acquisition, and counseling elected officials on the Open Meetings Act and public information requests.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of law.
Considerable, progressively responsible experience in professional legal work.
Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Admitted, or eligible for admission, to the Federal Court in the Southern District of Texas.
Considerable knowledge of common law and state and federal laws governing administrative and regulatory functions of state and local government.
Considerable knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Considerable knowledge of civil pleading methods and practices and effective techniques for presenting cases in court and before administrative judges and agencies.
Ability to analyze, evaluate, and organize facts, evidence, and legal precedents in complex cases and present them clearly in oral presentations and written briefs, opinions, orders, or decisions.
Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments, evaluate and organize facts and legal principles, and present evidence and related materials effectively in writing and orally.
Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with administrative officials, local government officials, employees, court officials, and the public.
Ability to plan, assign, and review the work of subordinate attorneys and clerical staff.
Ability to draft legal instruments, proposed legislation, and legal opinions.
Ability to perform tasks requiring extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.

Responsibilities

Represent the County in general legal matters and civil and administrative proceedings.
Supervise clerical staff supporting legal services to the County.
Direct legal research for legal opinions, proposed legislation materials, and County rules and regulations.
Conduct quasi-judicial hearings and advise boards and administrative officials on decisions arising from those hearings.
Prepare legal opinions for administrative officials.
Represent the County in civil litigation.
Review and approve contracts and agreements.
Provide legal counsel on property acquisition matters.
Advise elected officials on the Open Meetings Act and resolve public information requests.
Advise the County Judge, Commissioners' Court, elected officials, appointed department heads, and their designees on legal matters.
Plan, assign, and review the work of subordinate attorneys and clerical staff.