Attorney I-V (Office Of Parental Representation)

Serves as an Attorney with the Travis County Office of Parental Representation, a civil public defender's office. Provides client-centered representation to indigent clients in child welfare law litigation with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
3L law students or recent law school graduates waiting on Bar Exam results are encouraged to apply for this position with the possibility of being hired as a part- or full-time law clerk.

• Provides client-centered representation to indigent clients in child welfare law litigation with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Litigates cases at statutory and special review hearings, contested motion hearings, and trials.
• Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to achieve client-centered case goals.
• Attends case meetings with clients, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, CASA, attorneys, and other case professionals. Attends mediation.
• 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, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and memos.
• Responds to discovery requests. Oversees the creation and issuance of legal documents, including subpoenas, motions, orders, and other related documents.
• Prepares cases for trial. Collects, organizes, and prepares evidence and exhibits.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Law Clerk I: Bachelor's degree AND completion of one (1) year of law school. Salary range starting at $48,694.01
Attorney I: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school. Salary range starting at $66,183.97.
Attorney II: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND eighteen (18) months licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $70,819.70.
Attorney III: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND three (3) years licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $81,074.79.
Attorney IV: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND four (4) years licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $86,761.41.
Attorney V: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND six (6) years licensed attorney work experience. Salary range starting at $99,345.18.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Law Clerk I: Must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school.
Attorney I-V: Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
PREFERRED:

• Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why applicant wants to work for the Travis County Office of Parental Representation.
• Hearing and trial experience consistent with years of practice.
• Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) advocating on behalf of indigent clients.
• Effective client management skills and rapport-building techniques.
• Performs well in a high-volume, high-conflict area of litigation.
• Effective litigation techniques for presentation of cases in court and the ability to present facts and arguments verbally and in writing.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to child welfare law or other indigent client-related area of advocacy.

Knowledge of:

• Jurisprudence, civil law and procedures, including constitutional and statutory law.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• 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.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• 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.

Ability to:

• 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, 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.
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.
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.

Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Department: Justice Planning/Office of Parental Representation
Location: 1700 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas 78701
Criminal Background Check Required
Employment Type: Full Time