Staff Attorney

Staff AttorneyUnder general supervision, the Staff Attorney performs duties and responsibilities for all District Judges, including legal research, drafting proposed entries, screening prisoner civil rights complaints and habeas petitions, reviewing motions, assisting in hearings and trials, and providing information to the public, bar, and pro se litigants.Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Performs legal research, searches resources and studies legal records/documents to obtain information applicable to the case or issues under consideration.Screens prisoner civil rights complaints and habeas petitions.Reviews motions to determine issues involved and bases for relief.Analyzes substantive laws, as well as evidentiary and procedural rules, as applied to individual cases.Presents facts and relevant case law to the Judges verbally and in writing in case-related matters.Communicates with attorneys and parties on behalf of the Court.Assists the District Judges during hearings and trials in the preparation of letter rulings, jury charges, Finding of Fact and Conclusions of Law, written orders, correspondence, and memoranda for and on behalf of the court.Supervises law interns.Other duties as assigned.Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree from a four-year College or university and a J.D. degree are required.The individual must have a Texas Law license.Valid Class C Texas driver's license.We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Part-time employees who work less than 30 hours per week over the course of a year, receive some benefits on a pro-rated basis. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.