Attorney I

• The purpose of this class is to assists in the provision of a broad range of administrative, contractual, and civil legal services in support of county government operations with particular emphasis on open government laws; and, prosecution of criminal cases.

• Primary focus on research, analysis, and drafting concerning Public Information Act requests and submissions to the Texas Attorney General on a broad array of county records, responding to subpoenas seeking production of county records and records of county officials, and advising county officials concerning records retention policies and compliance with records retention statutes and regulations.
• Researches, drafts and advises on open government, conflict of interest, county government, tort, contract, employment, constitutional, and election laws.
• Drafts, reviews, revise, and interpret contracts, county policies, interlocal agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
• Reviews, drafts, revise, and negotiate easements; preserves and protects county right of way.
• Manages property damage claims from third parties.
• Assists with general litigation as assigned; drafts briefs and motions for filing in federal and state trial and appellate courts; engages in oral arguments; assists in the trial of cases; exercises independent judgment in the evaluation of legal theories and the application of same to specific fact situations in a given case; performs independent research in law; performs discovery to determine relevant facts; coordinates response to discovery requests; participates in court ordered mediations; reviews the progress of and assists outside counsel.
• Advises elected and appointed officials and department heads concerning legal issues.
• Tries cases before jury or Judge.
• Performs a variety of complex, independent duties in conjunction with court trials, including performing discovery, evaluating legal theories and principles, performing research, etc.
• Offers pleas to defendants on criminal matters.
• Screens cases; reads offense reports to determine if a crime has been committed and prepares narrative for the charging information.
• Coordinates with the Adult Probation Department in reviewing and filing Motions to Revoke Community Supervision cases.
• Represents the county during bond forfeiture hearings.
• Enters pleas before the Judge.
• Prepares jail docket offers and calculates time already served.
• Participates and assists in pre-trial preparations.
• Performs other complex legal functions in a specific, assigned legal area to include misdemeanors, family violence, and JP appeals.
• Performs related work as assigned.

• Requires graduation from an accredited Law School and admitted to the practice of law in the State of Texas.
• Requires two years of experience in the practice of law, case management, transactional, compliance law or closely related experience.

• Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
• Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.
• The work is typically performed sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects.
• The work is typically performed in an office.
• Emergency Preparedness Tier Level: 3

Equal Opportunity Statement

• The County of Galveston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.