PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE - SENIOR TRIAL ATTORNEY (GRANT-FUNDED IMMIGRATION LAW)

Minimum Qualifications

**This is a grant-funded position.**

Acceptable Experience and Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence and a minimum of three (3) years of criminal and/or civil experience;
Prior experience in either criminal or immigration law is required. Experience in the interplay between criminal and immigration law is strongly preferred.
 
Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities along with a Doctor of Jurisprudence.
 
Certificates and Licenses Required 
Must have and maintain a license to practice law in the State of Texas and be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.  

Admitted to practice in the United States Immigration Courts.  
 
Depending on area assigned: Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Typical Duties

Advise clients about potential immigration consequences prior to resolution of their cases;
 
Provides immigration advice and support on individual cases to P.D. staff attorneys; 
 
Develops and lectures at training programs for PD staff attorneys and private court-appointed attorneys on the immigration consequences of criminal cases; 
 
Drafts written training materials and practice advisories on relevant immigration law;
 
Provides litigation support to Public Defenders Office staff attorneys and indigent clients on post-conviction motions filed to minimize adverse immigration consequences;
 
Litigates cases on behalf of indigent clients in cases that involve the impact of Texas criminal convictions on immigration status and the role of the state criminal justice system in the enforcement of immigration law;
 
Frequent handling of confidential legal information and documents;
 
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions; 
 
Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;
 
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
 
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
 
As assigned:
Reviews case facts for legal sufficiency, drafts motion statements and prepares required legal documents;
 
Researches statutes and case law issues and revises legal documents to reflect new legislation;
 
Examines video, file and physical case evidence;
 
Confers with attorneys regarding case information and pleadings, law enforcement agencies regarding case investigation and trial preparation, and witnesses regarding case preparation and testimony;
 
Edits legal documents prepared by support staff;
 
Responsible for litigating routine to complex hearings, trials and appeals;
 
Prepares and presents oral arguments for routine to complex cases;
 
Represents all indigent persons charged with serious crimes in the County, including capital murder, murder, and manslaughter;
 
Defends individuals charged with felonies for which a sentence of incarceration may be imposed;
 
Provides effective representation to clients while managing a large and complex caseload;
 
May concentrate in representing specific types of most complex and high profile cases such as family, juvenile, indigent, mental health etc.;
 
Works closely with community agencies to match needs of clients with resources, programs, and assistance;
 
Handles arraignment court and bond court;
 
Meets with clients when arrested and obtains their history to make bond arguments to the court;
 
Maintains working relationship with clients in person, by phone and by mail contact;
 
May be called to represent individuals at investigative proceedings; may be assigned to handle cases involving post-conviction or appellate relief;
 
Interviews and counsels respondents in mental health proceedings in Local or State treatment units where they may be confined and works closely with psychiatrists and other medical or treatment personnel;
 
Maintains extensive contact with various State legal offices, social service agencies, Correctional facilities staff, police, forensic authorities, crime labs, and pathologists;
 
Maintains frequent contact with the Department of Family and Protective Services, Department of State Health and agencies regarding the referral of clients for drug treatment, family counseling and other assistance;
 
Investigates alleged crime or offense by meeting with witnesses, police officers and reviewing the facts;
 
Meets with the client to discuss the appropriate action to be taken and whether pre-trial motions should be filed;
 
Establishes close contact with defendants by regular visits to the Correctional facilities or by constant correspondence via personal visits to the Public Defender's Office, phone contact or by letters to defendants not in custody;
 
Performs as trial counsel by representing defendants during courtroom proceeding;
 
Researches case law, communicates with defendant to determine trial strategy such as cross-examination procedures, witness selection, jury selection, testimony decisions and opening and closing arguments;
 
Acts as negotiator between the defendant and the State's Attorney's Office to secure acquittals or reach agreement concerning sentence time which would be the most beneficial for the defendant and the State's Attorney's Office;
 
Researches case law and witness testimony, conducts investigations and negotiates with the State's Attorney's Office;
 
Analyzes facts, evidence and the strength of case, determines client's wishes and meets with prosecutor to resolve the matter short of trial;
 
Represents defendants during other court proceedings;
 
Prepares pre-trial motions such as Answer to Discovery, Motions to Suppress Evidence, Motions to Dismiss and Motions to Additional Discovery, which are required to be filed and a hearing set to ensure that they are carried out properly; and
 
Prepares post-trial matters such as motions to withdraw pleas, motions to reconsider sentence and post-conviction petitions.
 
Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;
 
May work extended hours and weekends; 
 
Regular out of town travel for professional conferences and meetings;
 
Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment; 
 
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary

The Immigration Law Specialist Attorney under general supervision, advises and trains Public Defender (PD) staff attorneys and court-appointed attorneys on immigration consequences of criminal cases as well as provides litigation support on issues involving the interaction between immigration enforcement and the criminal justice system. 
 
This is the second in a series of three non-supervisory attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family.

Additional Information

Organizational Relationships
Reports to:   Trial Team Chief, Division Chief, Senior Division Chief
 
Directs:        This is a non-supervisory position
 
Other:           Has contact with department heads and/or staff in order to coordinate and complete assigned responsibilities, attorney's, investigators, judiciary and court staff, law enforcement, witnesses, social work agencies, vendors, contractors, other county employees, and the general public.