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Attorney

Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech, P.C.
Posted Jan 19
Full Time
Austin, Texas

Company Description The Law Offices of Denton, Navarro, Rodriguez, Bernal, Santee, & Zech, P.C. represents local government bodies and public sector officials throughout the State of Texas. We represent cities, counties, and other government entities by providing both general and special counsel services. We are in the process of filling a general counsel attorney position for our Austin office location.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK: To prosecute class C misdemeanors and city code violations through municipal court, including defendant briefing and pleas, analyzing cases to determine options, preparing and defending against any motions or requests filed in municipal court, and then ultimately presenting those cases to a judge or jury. To serve as assistant city attorney under supervision of senior attorneys, and to review Texas Public Information Act requests, draft responses, and draft and file briefs with the Texas Attorney General at the direction and supervision of the supervising attorney.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following essential functions: ·        Conduct pre-trial hearings in municipal court to educate defendants on options for disposing of their citations, which includes reviewing cases to determine which options may be made available to each defendant and negotiating with defense attorneys regarding pleas and facts of cases. ·        Prepare and defend against motions and requests filed with the court, prepare police officers and other witnesses for testimony, and represent cities and State of Texas in prosecuting cases before a judge or jury. ·        Represent cities in code enforcement cases in municipal court, which includes interviewing and preparing code enforcement personnel to testify at trial and drafting motions and affidavits of witnesses. ·        Review and timely respond to requests for information made under the Texas Public Information Act, draft responses to such requests, and drafting and filing briefs with the Texas Attorney General for opinion. ·        Perform research into non-complex legal issues with low political or financial impact, study newly-enacted legislation and recently decided case law, prepare legal letters, memoranda, and draft opinions on tasks assigned by supervising attorney. ·        Assist supervising attorney in meetings with city officials and employees to discuss legal questions, including enforcement policies and procedures to be followed in various actions. ·        Assist supervising attorney in the drafting of contracts, real estate documents, ordinances, resolutions, and other municipal related legislation. ·        Assist supervising attorney at public meetings of city councils, boards or commissions, and in providing legal advice and making public presentations. ·        Train police officers, city employees and other witnesses on effective testimony, presentation and courtroom skills. ·        Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance to all job assignments, meetings and appearances. ·        Travel to cities for municipal court and meetings and to perform the functions herein, and to perform other duties as assigned. ·        Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS:        ·         Graduate of an accredited law school with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence ·        Must be a member in good standing with the Texas State Bar Association and licensed to practice law in the state of Texas ·        Texas driver’s license, valid car insurance, and no arrests in past five years. ·        Work history with a district attorney’s office, municipal court, or city attorney’s office preferred.   ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:           •        Knowledge of criminal law, administrative law, and Texas Government Code, and a general understanding of local governments and the democratic political process. •       Knowledge of civil and criminal procedures and rules of evidence. •       Ability to communicate and present analysis and information both orally and in writing in a clear and effective manner. •       Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all level of city employees and other governmental agencies. •       Ability to conduct timely, thorough and accurate legal and factual research relevant to the job assignment. •       Ability to track multiple job assignments by prioritizing, calendaring, and executing the job assignments, and ability to keep supervising attorney up-to-speed on all job assignments. •       Ability to effectively keep track of time spent on each task and job assignment and enter that time accurately and timely for billing purposes. •       Ability to travel using personal vehicle during the week, on weekends, and in the evenings for client meetings, interviewing witnesses, and professional conferences. •       Ability to work with a team, to jump into tasks and provide support, and to delegate and communicate effectively with co-workers on job assignments. •       Ability to meet strict deadlines. •       Ability to organize and track case files. •       Ability to exercise good judgement and reasoning skills. •       Professionalism at all times. •       Possess good moral character and honesty. •       Proficiency in all Microsoft Office based, and Adobe based applications. •       Suited for private practice, including the ability to generate billable hours.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:    Must be able to operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time, sit for extended periods of time (up to an hour or more at a time), and operate a computer, keyboard, and mouse for extended periods of time. Visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computer keyboard, basic office equipment, and other essential functions of an attorney. Must have the physical ability to push, pull or carry weights up to 50 pounds, and walk up and down a flight of stairs.   WORK ENVIRONMENT:         The office environment is one of teamwork and applicant must be able to effectively work in a team-based environment. Employee has the option of a standing or sitting desk and music is kept at a reasonable level. The work environment is stressful at times and employee regularly attends municipal court and public meetings, which can be emotionally charged and/or hostile.  *

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