Attorney I-III - Travis County Child Representation

About the role

Travis County Child Representation provides high-quality legal representation to children and youth involved in the Travis County child welfare system. Attorneys will build professional and trusting relationships with clients, collaborate with a wide variety of other professionals and community members, and advocate for the clients’ needs both in and out of the courtroom.

Classification

This is the first-second in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. This classification handles cases and matters that are moderately complex and may result in moderate consequences with supervision.

Responsibilities

• Meet with child-clients and provide legal counsel in a developmentally appropriate manner.
• Attend court hearings on behalf of clients and advocate for their position.
• Review all relevant records and case-related information.
• Communicate regularly with clients, and case contacts such as foster parents, kinship resources, DFPS case workers, service providers, and school personnel.
• Attend case planning meetings.
• Participate in out-of-court advocacy with service providers, schools, placements, and DFPS.
• Draft briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Respond to discovery requests.
• Prepare cases for trial: collect, organize and prepare evidence, information and other legal materials.
• Represent clients at bench and jury trials: conduct direct and cross examination of witnesses, admit evidence, and make opening and closing statements.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Schedule

Travis County Child Representation acknowledges that the duties and responsibilities of an attorney at litem for a child do not conform to an 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule. Staff attorneys are expected to prioritize activities that are required by Texas Family Code and the TCR Practice Manual and may use flextime and remote work to facilitate that prioritization. In-office work is expected on Wednesdays for staff and attorney meetings.

Location

1700 Guadalupe St. 5th Floor, Austin, Texas 78701

Department: Community Legal Services. Criminal, driving, and employment background checks required. For updates or questions on this position, contact: Sebastian.Buantello@traviscountytx.gov