TORT & CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY

Job Classification: Assistant City Attorney I and Senior Assistant City Attorney II Section: TORT & CIVIL RIGHTS Reporting Location: 900 BAGBY Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Subject to change) Legal Department: The Office of the City Attorney for the City of Houston (the “OCA”) provides legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees while adhering to the following guiding principles: Quality & Service – Achieving high customer satisfaction as judged by our clients. Partnership & Teamwork – Working cooperatively internally and with our clients to achieve the City’s goals. Integrity & Candor – Placing honesty and ethical behavior first. Dignity & Diversity – Promoting each person’s value. Innovation & Imagination – Seeking novel and creative approaches to achieving the City’s objectives. Essential Job Functions The City of Houston seeks an attorney with at least one first-chair jury trial in state or federal court to join the Torts/Civil Rights section of the OCA. The successful applicant is a high-energy self-starter who will litigate primarily personal injury matters with room for growth in other areas. Responsibilities Handling written discovery and motion practice in state court. Researching and preparing trial court briefs and motions. Taking and defending depositions of fact and expert witnesses. Identifying experts and assisting in the development of expert testimony. Representing the City of Houston and its employees in jury and bench trials. Evaluating case value and making settlement recommendations. Preparing case memoranda and representing the City in mediations. Counseling the client departments and training city employees on the enforcement or meaning of city ordinances and policies. Assisting the City Attorney and others with special projects such as drafting City Attorney Legal Opinions. Drafting, reviewing, or revising city policies. Special projects assigned by management. Working Conditions This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment. Qualifications Education: Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law. Experience: For Assistant City Attorney I: No experience required. For Senior Assistant City Attorney II: Six years of experience in the practice of general civil law, specialized municipal law or comparable legal experience are required. License: Must be a member of the Texas State Bar on or about the first day of employment. If selected for this position, official proof of a J.D. degree and membership in the Texas State Bar is required and membership in the state bar must be kept current as a condition of employment. *License for Assistant City Attorney I: Must, within 6 months of the first day of employment with the City of Houston, become an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and be eligible for admission to Federal court. License to practice law in Texas must be kept current as a condition of employment. Preference At least six years civil, municipal law or other comparable litigation experience. Insurance defense litigation experience or experience as an adjuster with an insurance company. Excellent writing, oral advocacy, analytical, and organizational skills. Familiarity with state court judges and court practices and procedures. Familiarity with Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Must be willing to work extended hours as needed to accommodate case load demands. Proficiency with Office 365 Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive, and TEAMS, along with Westlaw Edge. Veteran Preference: Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. Selection / Skills Tests None; however, the Department may administer a skill assessment test. Safety Impact Position No. If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if candidate is promoted into this position, he/she must pass an assigned drug test. Salary Information Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. Pay Grade: Varies. Equal Opportunity Employment The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. #J-18808-Ljbffr City-of-Houston,-T