Attorney V - VII - Appellate

Job Summary

About the role

The Travis County Attorney's Office is seeking a senior appellate attorney to handle complex civil and criminal appellate matters. This role involves preparing and arguing briefs before the Texas Courts of Appeals, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court. You will guide assistant county attorneys on appellate strategy, represent the County in expunction and nondisclosure proceedings, and mentor staff and community partners on key justice issues, all while working independently at the top of your field.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and argue appellate briefs, motions, petitions, and writs to the intermediate state courts of appeals, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.
• Provide legal advice to assistant county attorneys on appellate matters.
• Prepare and present oral argument in the various appellate courts.
• Represent the County Attorney, the District Attorney, and county agencies in (civil) expunction and non-disclosure trial and appellate proceedings.
• Perform advanced legal work, conduct investigations, and make punishment recommendations based upon contact with victims and office policy.
• Create documents including answers, motions, orders, writs, and other related documents.
• Represent the State at expunction/writ/non-disclosure hearings.
• Conduct training, mentoring, and educational presentations regarding legal and community justice issues of concern to the County for staff, other government employees, and civic organizations.
• Confer with top management and judges in all matters concerning prosecution of cases, advising of clients, and matters that will impact the policies and procedures of the division.
• Perform legal research, search resources, and study legal records and documents to obtain information applicable to case or issue under consideration.
• Draft briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, contracts, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Take depositions and respond to discovery requests.
• Oversee the creation and issuance of legal documents, including subpoenas, motions, orders, writs, warrants, contracts, official policies, and other related documents.
• Represent the State at docket calls.
• Prepare cases for trial.
• Collect, organize, and prepare evidence, information, and other legal materials.

Requirements

• Education and Experience: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND 6 to 10 years licensed attorney work experience.
• Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Salary

Starting at $105,892.80 for Attorney V, $113,318.40 for Attorney VI, and $121,243.20 for Attorney VII, depending on experience level.

Distinction Characteristics

This is the seventh in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. This classification handles cases and matters that are the most complex and that may result in the most severe consequences without supervision.

Qualifications

Knowledge of: Jurisprudence, criminal and civil law and procedures, including constitutional and statutory law. Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines. Methods and practices of pleading cases and of effective techniques for presentation of cases in court or to effectively present facts and precedents verbally and in writing in law related matters. Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system. Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages. Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation. May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skills

Skill in: Problem-solving and decision-making. Analyzing and appraising facts, policies, procedures and legal precedents in area of specialty. Both verbal and written communication, including presentations. Ability to: Conduct legal research and analysis, both manually and electronically. Present facts, precedents and arguments verbally and in writing and apply negotiation skills. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Work independently. Manage time well and perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities. Work well under pressure and exercise tact in trying situations. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.