Staff Attorney - Family / Juvenile Concentration

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to the Judges of the District Courts as they may request.
• This assistance includes being physically available to attend court or come to chambers to discuss a pending matter.
• While a judge of any division may ask for assistance, the concentration will be primarily on the family and juvenile divisions.
• Assist in the preparation of jury instructions and furnish legal authority for such charges when asked.
• Aid in direct and indirect contempt actions, as requested by the judiciary.
• This includes attending court proceedings as requested.
• Provide ethical guidance and updates to the Judges of the District Courts and to the staff of the administrative offices.
• This includes CE / CLE updates on matters of ethics and judicial administration.
• Review recent Federal and State decisions that affect the jurisprudence of, and are of interest to, the District Courts.
• Aid in preparation of various forms for general court use.
• Aid in preparation of rules for practice and procedure in the District Courts.
• Attend meetings of the district judges, as requested, and provide legal support in those meetings, as requested.
• Review, track and report on pending and enacted legislation as it pertains to the practice and procedure in the District Courts.
• Aid in preparation of bills that the District Courts deem advantageous for consideration by the legislature and enactment into law.
• Aid the District Courts in matters of law that arise concerning other agencies that affect the operation of the District Courts.
• Aid in responding to Rule 12 requests (the judicial equivalent of public information requests).
• Request legal representation for the judiciary from the Attorney General’s Office when a district judge is sued, and from the county attorney’s office when the suit involves a county employee.
• Provide legal assistance to the District Court Administrator on matters of form and procedure.
• Other duties as designated by the Local Administrative District Judge or that Judge’s designee.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law.
• Minimum of ten (10) contested family and/or juvenile final bench trials tried to decision in Texas and 1 jury trial in Texas (any area of law) tried to verdict, or five (5) non-Anders appellate briefs on family law or juvenile law matters filed with a Texas appellate court, or four (4) years of experience in Texas as a family law or juvenile law associate judge, juvenile master or juvenile referee.
• Substantially equivalent experience as a government attorney or an attorney to an elected or appointed official will be considered.
• Show ability in legal research and writing.
• Licensure: Shall be an attorney in good standing and licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Shall be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Show ability in legal research and writing.

Preferences

• Preference for board certification in family law, juvenile law or child welfare law.
• Certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law, juvenile law or child welfare law desirable.

General Information

• Position Type and Typical Hours of Work: Regular Full-time Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.
• Salary: Depends on QualificationsBased on 26 Pay PeriodsPlus, benefits
• Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
• Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.