Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney’s Office Assistant District Attorney
Job Title: Felony II ADA – Civil Department
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: District Attorney Office
Full Time: Yes
Location: Justice Center, Kaufman, TX
Salary: $101,945 -$110,153
Supervisor(s): Criminal District Attorney, Civil Chief
Open: 01/01/2025
Closing Date: Until filled
SUMMARY:
This position requires a thorough knowledge of government law, civil law, constitutional law, contract law, employment law, civil litigation and court procedures. This position is responsible for handling bond forfeitures, asset forfeitures, county government inquiries, civil law cases and/or litigation matters, Commissioners’ Court research and drafting, contract drafting, policy drafting and all related matters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Handling of Bond Forfeitures:
- Attend bond forfeiture hearings.
- Regular interaction with bondsmen to negotiate and settle bond forfeitures.
- Legal research and update bond forfeiture procedures as needed.
- Provide assistance to other county prosecutors on the Texas Bond Forfeiture group.
- Handling of Asset Forfeitures:
- Interact with law enforcement agencies regarding asset forfeiture proceedings.
- Draft all pleadings, discovery, discovery responses, and motion for asset forfeiture proceedings.
- Conduct legal research related to asset forfeiture proceedings.
- Conduct asset forfeiture hearings and trials.
- County Government Inquiries (under the direction of the Civil Chief):
- Answer questions and advise elected officials and county employees in areas including, but not limited to, employment law, election law, county government law, civil litigation, Public Information Act, real estate transactions, health and safety government issues, economic development, tax law, contract law, etc.
- Provide legal research and brief material to elected officials upon request for legal opinions.
- Provide correspondence and draft letters on behalf of commissioners, elected officials, and department heads.
- Provide training, drafting assistance, and answers regarding policy/legal implementation questions from county employees and personnel.
- Recommend policies, procedures, practices, and specific actions to best deal with critical issues facing the District Attorney’s office and issues facing other County departments.
- Respond to direct calls to the District Attorney’s office from constituents and direct them to the appropriate department (i.e., civil, criminal, another county department, or private attorney).
- Respond to calls from county officials, department heads, and employees across every county department regarding county-civil issues.
- Respond to email inquiries from county officials, department heads, and employees across every county department. Provide legal analysis in email or memo response. Direct individual(s) to appropriate department if identified as non-civil or non-legal issue.
- Civil Law Cases and/or Litigation Matters (under the direction of the Civil Chief):
- Draft civil discovery and respond to discovery requests including, but not limited to, drafting responses, researching objections, and compiling documentation and organizing/directing outside department staff to locate responsive materials and compile materials appropriately.
- Meet with witnesses and assist with investigations and affidavit notes. Visit litigation site and assist in case strategy to preserve and locate evidence. Work with expert witnesses to develop evidence.
- Draft civil petitions, answers, and motions.
- Attend mediation and depositions on behalf of the county. Prepare deposition witnesses.
- Attend all initial, pretrial, and trial civil settings.
- Coordinate and communicate with outside counsel regarding pending litigation.
- Research and draft EEOC and WC complaint responses. Assist HR and relevant departments with document production related to employment law litigation.
- Commissioners’ Court Research and Drafting (under the direction of the Civil Division Chief):
- Conduct research and drafting of legal memorandum, orders, and other documents necessary to assist the Commissioners’ Court and Commissioners’ Court agenda items.
- Prepare any back up Assistant District Attorney functions as necessary to support the Commissioners’ Court agenda.
- General Legal Duties
- Draft contracts, memorandums of understanding, interlocal agreements, and other legal documents as required.
- Draft policies, procedures and other legal documents as required.
- As an attorney in the Criminal District Attorney’s Office, perform any task needed for the Criminal District Attorney’s Office to function in an efficient and professional manner as directed by a supervising attorney, division chief, or the Criminal District Attorney. needed.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage case load, issue list, and calendar of civil division.
- Coordinate, administer, and co-supervise the activities of support staff personnel in the civil division.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Experience: 3 to 5 years experience preferred
- Certificates, Licenses, Registration:
- Must have Texas law license.
- Must be an active member and in good standing with the Texas State Bar Association.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to work with Microsoft Office application (i.e., Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook).
- Ability to learn computerized case management system.
- Working knowledge of business machines.
- Excellent knowledge of business practices.
- Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing and to maintain confidentiality.
- Excellent organizational and public service skills.
- Must be able to work with co-workers, employees, and management in a pleasant, professional manner.
- Must be able to multi-task a variety of projects, work assignments, and deadlines.
- Must be able to work under pressure in a high-volume office while producing accurate work and meeting established deadlines.
- Must be mature, dependable, resourceful, and able to work independently.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an exempt employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Employee may occasionally be required to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is primarily indoor in an air-conditioned, smoke free office.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date either by hand-delivery or email.
Kaufman County Human Resources
Kaufman County Annex
100 N. Washington Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
Applications are available on the Kaufman County website www.kaufmancounty.net or at the Kaufman County Human Resources Office. Job offers are contingent upon successful completion of background check and pre-employment drug test.