Entry Level 3L Attorney Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17044
Department: Public Defender's Office
Opening Date: 08/01/2026
Closing Date: 11/1/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
About the Harris County Public Defender's Office:
The Harris County Public Defender's Office ("HCPDO") is one of the largest public defender offices in the nation, employing more than 350 professionals, including over 200 attorneys. Our office provides client-centered, holistic representation to individuals accused of criminal offenses in Harris County through interdisciplinary teams that include attorneys, investigators, social workers, mitigation specialists, psychologists, client advocates, paralegals, and administrative professionals. HCPDO is committed to providing high-quality legal representation and advancing excellence in indigent defense through client-centered representation and interdisciplinary advocacy.
Position Overview:
The Harris County Public Defender's Office seeks graduating third-year law students (3Ls), recent law school graduates, and newly licensed Texas attorneys to join the Fall 2027 Post-Bar Attorney Fellowship. Fellows will participate in an intensive, structured training program designed to prepare new attorneys for the practice of indigent criminal defense through classroom instruction, courtroom observation, supervised advocacy, mentorship, and hands-on case experience. Fellows will work under the supervision of experienced public defenders while developing the knowledge, judgment, and advocacy skills necessary to transition into full-time Assistant Public Defender positions.
Purpose of the Fellowship:
The Post-Bar Attorney Fellowship serves as HCPDO's primary hiring pathway for entry-level Assistant Public Defenders. The fellowship is designed to prepare participants for full-time employment through structured training, supervised practice, and mentorship. HCPDO intends for fellows who successfully complete the program, obtain Texas licensure, and demonstrate satisfactory performance to transition into Assistant Public Defender positions, subject to office hiring needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of experienced Assistant Public Defenders, fellows will:

• Participate in and successfully complete the Post-Bar Fellowship Training Program, including classroom instruction, skills-based training, courtroom observation, and supervised advocacy.
• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, motions, briefs, and other legal pleadings.
• Assist attorneys with case investigation, discovery review, witness preparation, and defense strategy.
• Participate in client interviews, jail visits, and client counseling.
• Assist in trial preparation, including organizing exhibits and reviewing evidence.
• Participate in court proceedings, including hearings, plea negotiations, and trials, as permitted under applicable law and supervision.
• Collaborate with attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists, social workers, psychologists, client advocates, paralegals, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and all office policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Application Materials:
Applicants must submit

• Resume
• Cover Letter
  
  • Cover letters should address:
    
    • Why you want to become a public defender.
    • Educational, professional, volunteer, or lived experiences that have prepared you for this work.
    • Any additional information you would like the hiring committee to consider.
• Law school transcript (unofficial accepted)
• Contact information for at least two (2) professional references

Education and Licensure:
Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Be a third-year law student (3L) enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school and expected to graduate before the anticipated fellowship start date or
• Be a recent law school graduate; or
• Be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas by the fellowship start date.

Texas Bar Examination Requirement:
Applicants must either:

• Be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas by the fellowship start date; or
• Have taken the Texas Bar Examination immediately preceding the fellowship start date and be awaiting results.
  
  • Applicants who intend to obtain Texas licensure through UBE score transfer, admission on motion, or another admission pathway after the fellowship begins are not eligible for this fellowship.
  • Applicants planning to pursue Texas licensure through one of these pathways are encouraged to apply for a future fellowship cohort after they have been admitted to the State Bar of Texas.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and abilities:

• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to public defense, indigent criminal defense, client-centered representation, or public service.
• Ability to work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds.

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time | Location: Houston, Texas (In-person)
• Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Anticipated Start Date:

• September 2027 (subject to final scheduling)
  
  • Initial Training Program: Approximately eight (8) weeks, beginning after the July 2027 Texas Bar Examination.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $33.00 per hour during the fellowship.
• Eligible for Harris County employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and paid leave.
• Annual salary upon transition to Assistant Public Defender: $98,904

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.Applicants who have questions regarding their eligibility or Texas licensure status are encouraged to contact the HCPDO Recruitment Team at recruitment@pdo.hctx.net before applying.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01
Are you a recent law school graduate?(To be considered, qualifying education must be documented in your application's education history.)

• Yes
• No

02
Are you a third-year law student (3L) enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school and expected to graduate before the anticipated fellowship start date? (Anticipated Start Date: September 2027 - subject to final scheduling)(To be considered, qualifying education must be documented in your application's education history.)

• Yes
• No

03
Are you currently licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, or will you be licensed by the fellowship start date? (Anticipated Start Date: September 2027 - subject to final scheduling)

• Yes
• No

04
Will you have taken the Texas Bar Examination immediately preceding the fellowship start date and be awaiting results? (Anticipated Start Date: September 2027 - subject to final scheduling)

• Yes
• No

05
Interested candidates must submit the following materials:-Resume-Cover Letter -Law school transcript (unofficial accepted)-Contact information for at least two (2) professional referencesDid you attach all required documents to your application?

• Yes

Required Question