Attorney I-III - Office of First Defense

JOB
The Office of First Defense provides quality legal defense to persons magistrated in Travis County under Article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Magistration is the critical step in the Criminal Legal Process in which an Arrestee goes before a Magistrate Judge to have their bail and the conditions for their release set. The attorneys selected for this position will represent indigent arrestees at these bail hearings. Once fully staffed, the office will represent approximately 14,000 clients each year in these limited-scope proceedings. This is an opportunity to help create a holistic, client-centered public defender office from the ground up.Attorney I – III provide zealous representation for clients at a critical moment in the criminal legal process.Magistration Shifts occur during the day, night, weekends, and holidays. Individuals selected for this position will be required to work those days and hours.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Attorney I: This is the first in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. This classification handles cases and matters that are the least complex and may result in the least serious consequences with supervision. Attorney II: This is the second in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. This classification handles cases and matters that are the least complex and may result in the least serious consequences without supervision. Attorney III: This is the third in a series of seven attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. This classification handles cases and matters that are the least complex and may result in the least serious consequences without supervision and handles cases and matters that are moderately complex and may result in moderately severe consequences with supervision.Salary Information Attorney I: $85,500 - $86,089.16 annuallyAttorney II: $89,000 - $92,065.62 annuallyAttorney III: $92,000 - $105,397.23 annually

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Provides high-quality criminal defense representation that complies with state and federal constitutions, state statutes, ethical rules, and state and national standards.Provides client-centered representation in proceedings held under Article 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to achieve client-centered goals.Communicates professionally with clients, conducts legal research, and advocates on behalf of clients in court.Interacts professionally with judges, prosecutors, and court personnel.Prepares clients and their cases for magistration.Wisely uses County services, equipment, facilities, and finances in advocating for clients.Performs other job-related duties as assigned

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.Work Hours: Flexible (four 10-hour shifts per week) Will work some holidays, some nights, some weekendsLocation: 507 W. 11th St., Austin, TX 78701Department: Community Legal Services Criminal, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.