TORT & CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY

Position Overview

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

About the Role

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, Partnership & Teamwork, Integrity & Candor, Dignity & Diversity, Innovation & Imagination, and Compliance.

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.

Minimum Requirements

• Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law.
• For Assistant City Attorney I: No experience required.
  For Senior Assistant City Attorney II: 13 years of experience in the practice of general civil law, specialized municipal law or comparable legal experience are required.
• Must be a member of the Texas State Bar on or about the first day of employment.
• Must, or 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.

PREFERENCES

• Preference Will Be Given To Candidates With 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.

General Information

• Skill Assessment Tests Required: None
• Selection Process: Applicants must submit their applications online through the City of Houston's website.
• Drug Testing: Yes, if selected for 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.
• Application Procedures: Applications must be submitted online during the posting opening and closing dates shown.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.