Attorney V - Records

This staff attorney position performs legal research and answers legal questions pertaining to juvenile, criminal and administrative law for TCJPD staff, administrators, the General Counsel, and Chief Juvenile Probation Officer. May be required to draft legel memos, MOUs/interlocal agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Must be able to respond to discovery and open records requests, to include assisting TCJPD staff in gathering relevant documents/records to respond to public information requests. May interface with the County Attorney's Open Records Division, as needed. Must be able to respond to subpoenas, writs, warrants, etc., as well as having the ability to collect, organize, and prepare information and other legal materials for court. May assist the County Attorneys Civil Litigation Division in preparing court-related matters pertaining to the TCJPD. Must be able to manage/address issues pertaining to TCJPD juvenile records/files pertaining to records release requests, sealing of TCJPD records, and records management. Must engage in ongoing legal training for TCJPD staff by preparing/presenting virtual and classroom training courses related to juvenile justice, child welfare and other relevant legal topics. Must be able to assist with legislative bill analyses, bill tracking and bill summarizations during/after each legislative session, as needed. 

This is the fifth in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. This classification handles cases and matters that are moderately complex and that may result in moderately severe consequences without supervision.

• Performs legal research. Searches resources and studies legal records and documents to obtain information applicable to case or issue under consideration.
• Drafts briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, contracts and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Takes depositions and responds to discovery requests. Oversees the creation and issuance of legal documents, including subpoenas, motions, orders, writs, warrants, contracts, official policies and other related documents. Represents the State at docket calls.
• Prepares cases for trial. Collects, organizes and prepares evidence, information and other legal materials.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND six (6) years licensed attorney work experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Jurisprudence, criminal and civil law and procedures, including constitutional and statutory law.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Methods and practices of pleading cases and of effective techniques for presentation of cases in court or to effectively present facts and precedents verbally and in writing in law related matters.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Analyzing and appraising facts, policies, procedures and legal precedents in area of specialty.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

• Conduct legal research and analysis, both manually and electronically.
• Present facts, precedents and arguments verbally and in writing and apply negotiation skills.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well and perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Work well under pressure and exercise tact in trying situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire. 

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm
Works some holidays, Works some weekends.
 
Department:  Travis County Juvenile Probation Department 

Location:  2515 S. Congress Avenue , Austin, TX

Drug Test and Alcohol Test Required.
Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.