Civil Attorney-Mental Health Assignment

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Civil Division Chief, responsible for representing the State in a broad range of civil matters, such as mental health civil commitment cases, Adult Protective Services matters, state guardianship matters, and bond forfeiture proceedings. Reviews responsive information in Public Information Act requests from responsive departments and provides legal redactions as necessary. Prepares information for submission in exhibits submitted to the Attorney General’s Office for a ruling.*The vacancy related to this posting is grant-funded through December 2024. *

MENTAL HEALTH ASSIGNMENT

• Performs work on mental health matters and litigation related to representing the State in mental health civil commitment cases
• Represents the State in Probable Cause and Civil Commitment hearings which includes evaluating updated medical records, communicating with mental health facilities, and interviewing, preparing, and eliciting testimony from social workers, doctors, family members, and other witnesses as necessary
• Represents the State on Applications for Court Order to Administer Psychoactive Medication hearings, including reviewing and providing legal analysis on filing determinations on Applications for Court Order to Administer Psychoactive Medication and orders to receive restoration treatment
• Conducts legal research on nuanced and complex mental health issues and presents findings to assist other prosecutors in the office
• Conducts legal analysis in reviewing of applications for emergency detention and commitment hearings
• Represents the State in Adult Protective Services matters and state guardianship matters, which requires compiling and reviewing documents, drafting pleadings, preparing witnesses, and appearing on behalf of the State for all cases involving Williamson County residents where the Health and Human Services Commission is seeking appointment as permanent guardian
• Communicates with officials from the Local Intellectual Developmental Disability Authority and the Williamson County Jail, preparing and eliciting testimony from jail staff, social workers, doctors, mental health professionals, and others, utilizing Application for Admission to Residential Care Facility, Determination on Intellectual Disability, Interdisciplinary Team Report, Application to State Supported Living Center, medical records, letter from accepting facility, ICAP booklet and report, incident reports, pharmacological records, 16.22 reports, competency reports, criminal history, and other documents to create exhibits for use at trial
• Drafts pleadings and response motions, including but not limited to Application for Appointment of Permanent Guardian, Proposed Order Setting Hearing, Proposed Order Appointing Attorney Ad Litem, and other legal documents necessary for all mental health hearings
• Participates as representative from the County Attorney’s Office at the Crisis Response Team Meetings, Mental Health Round Table Meetings, Strategic Intercept Mapping (SIM), and Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings
• Creates and presents trainings to medical and mental health facility staff on relevant issues that are targeted to facilitate efficient processing of cases and collaboration between the facility and County Attorney’s Office

IRREGULAR HOURS

• Work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be required
• May be deemed essential personnel in the event of an emergency
  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school and five (5) years of experience in a county or district attorney office, city attorney, or other governmental attorney with experience in areas related to the job duties; or six (6) years of civil law experience as an attorney in relevant areas
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, LexisNexis, and Westlaw

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Working knowledge of Odyssey and Digital Evidence management System (DEMS)

Please refer the Job description for details