Staff Attorney - District Courts

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.

Summary

Under 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.  

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• The individual must have a Texas Law license.
• Valid Class C Texas driver’s license.