Assistant County Attorney - Affirmative & Special Litigation Division
Harris County See More Job Openings by This Employer
- Position Description
The Harris County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) is hiring an attorney to join our Affirmative & Special Litigation Division that represents the nation’s third largest county, its elected officials, and 19,000 employees in state and federal litigation. The Division seeks an experienced and motivated attorney with stellar writing and advocacy skills. The Affirmative & Special Litigation Division represents Harris County in complex, high impact matters in a variety of areas, including constitutional rights, consumer protection, nuisance, fraud, elections, and contractual matters. The Division also investigates potential claims and regulatory enforcement against businesses and individuals. Our goal is advance and protect, through litigation, the well-being, health, and safety of Harris County residents. The attorney will work on civil litigation matters from case inception through discovery and motion practice, trial, and appeal including arguments before Texas and federal trial and appellate courts.
In addition to the ability to earn compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek, the selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the HCAO telework program.Duties and Responsibilities:
- First and second chair litigation assignments.
- Represents parties in civil litigation cases from intake through final judgment including trials and/or appeals as needed.
- Advises clients.
- Manages all aspects of assigned litigation such as drafting answers, issuing and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, motions practice to include dispositive motions, and other necessary court documents.
- Remains current on applicable caselaw and ethical obligations.
- Conducts research assignments.
- Participates in hearings, depositions, court hearings, and trial.
- Identifies pertinent case documents and records.
- Develops and maintains relationships with clients (including elected officials, individual employees and agency representatives), courts and court staff, the public and other work groups related to assigned cases.
- Monitors cases to ensure that all discovery requests including requests for interrogatories, admissions, disclosures, and production are timely handled.
- Reviews and responds to motions filed by opposing counsel.
- Investigates facts and obtains evidence in cases.
- Presents or defends witnesses and evidence at administrative hearings, depositions, court hearings, mediation, and trial.
- Performs multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
- Makes use of technology and other legal tools.
- Responds promptly to phone calls, emails, and other correspondence.
- Participates in one-on-one sessions with the Managing Attorney and Division Directors to give and receive feedback.
- Participates in Division staff meetings.
- Encourages and mentors attorneys, paralegals, interns, and law clerks.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Other Duties:
This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.- Requirements
Supporting Job Application Documents:
Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, three (3) professional references, unofficial law school transcript, and at least one (1) writing sample with their application.
Education and Experience Requirements:
- A Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law.
- Must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court.
- A minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated work experience practicing civil law.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent research, writing, and courtroom skills.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate and work in a collaborative group.
- Proficiency with technology and legal tools such as Westlaw, Microsoft Word, Adobe, and PowerPoint.
- Experience drafting pleadings and motions.
- Experience gathering, objecting to, and producing discovery.
- Knowledge of federal and state rules of civil procedure and evidence.
- Ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses and exercise good judgment.
- Occasional ability to work extended hours to accommodate case load demands.
- Ability to organize and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.
- Ability to comply with office policies and training requirements.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
- General Information
Located in downtown Houston, the Harris County Attorney’s Office represents Harris County government, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters, including lawsuits. The office also provides legal advice to county officials and employees.
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional weekends and holidays as necessary.
This job typically operates in a professional office environment, and the individual in this role uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners/copiers, and phones.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
This job typically operates in a professional office environment, and the employee in this role uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners/copiers, and phones.
This is largely a sedentary role, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
- $79,497.60 - $129,417.60/year
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