Family Law - General Attorney in Austin, TX

Government

Austin, TX

Family Law - General Attorney in Austin, TX

Attorney

No

Job Title: 455th District Court Briefing Attorney

Job Responsibilities:
- Assists the judge with management of the court's docket.
- Provides legal opinions and counsel to the judge regarding issues under consideration.
- Assists the judge during courtroom proceedings in connection with complex legal questions.
- Performs legal research by searching resources including state and federal case law, statutes, and rules, administrative rules and procedures, and studying legal documents and records to obtain information applicable to cases or issues under consideration.
- Drafts briefs, memoranda, orders, jury charges, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
- Reviews and prepares summaries and opinions of pending legislation.
- Assists the judge in writing rules and procedures and in providing legal research in conjunction with the judge's administrative responsibilities.
- Assists the judge with preparation of text and materials for seminar presentations, including but not limited to CLE seminars. May also prepare text and materials and present at CLE and other legal gatherings.
- Communicates with counsel regarding case management and procedural requirements.
- May plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
- Works cooperatively with court personnel.
- Interacts with and responds to inquiries from litigants, public officials, the media, and the general public.
- May attend meetings and seminars as the judge's representative.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
- Briefing Attorney I: JD/LLB from an accredited law school AND up to three (3) years of licensed attorney work experience with an annual salary of $105,.
- Briefing Attorney II: JD/LLB from an accredited law school AND between four (4) to nine (9) years of licensed attorney work experience with an annual salary of $113,.
- Briefing Attorney III: JD/LLB from an accredited law school AND ten (10) years or more of licensed attorney work experience with an annual salary of $125,.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
- Knowledge and experience as a licensed attorney or judge in Civil/Family District Courts in the State of Texas.

Knowledge of:
- Jurisprudence, criminal, civil, family, and juvenile law and procedures, including constitutional and statutory law, administrative regulations, and procedures.
- Federal, State, Local, and County laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
- Effective techniques for presenting facts and precedents orally and in writing in law-related matters to the judge.
- Alternative dispute resolution and the mediation process.
- Policies, practices, procedures, and terminology of assigned function.
- Computer equipment and common application software.
- Business letter writing, grammar, and punctuation.
- Federal, state, and local laws regarding the confidential handling of certain information.

Skill in:
- Problem-solving and decision-making.
- Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.
- Analyzing and appraising facts, policies, procedures, and legal precedents.
- Multitasking and working under time pressure.

Ability to:
- Conduct legal research and analysis, both manually and electronically.
- Work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
- Present facts and precedents orally and in writing and apply negotiation skills.
- Operate a variety of office equipment and a computer, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and a variety of software packages.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Work independently and efficiently.
- 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, outside agencies, other county staff and officials, other attorneys, and the general public.

Salary Information:
- The salary ranges from $119, to $158, annually, depending on the level of experience and classification as a Briefing Attorney I, II, or III.

Work Environment & Other Information:
- Physical requirements include lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, pushing, pulling, kneeling, reaching, balancing, repetitive motion, and judge/attorney/staff/general public contact to perform the essential functions.
- Employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
- Work hours are from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday-Friday, with potential for working some holidays, nights, and weekends.
- Criminal, driving, education, and employment background checks are required.