Description:

Minimum Qualifications:

Salary Dependent on qualifications and experience*
Please note: This position will be available on January 1, 2027

Acceptable Experience and Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence and a minimum of four (4) years of criminal and/or civil experience;

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.

In order to access the County's network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.

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:
Essential Duties:

Exhibits advanced professional expertise;
Makes decisions on complex legal matters within the requirements of the law and the policies of the department to which assigned;
Applies knowledge, skill, and expertise in applicable areas of law to keep pace with current developments, especially as related to legislative and case law changes;
Advises highest level of elected and appointed officials regarding liability, duties, powers, and constitutional and statutory limitation and requirements;
Litigates and negotiates many complex matters at the federal and state level;
Handles most uniquely complex matters, such as death penalty litigation, cases with scientific evidence and analysis, and analogous complex civil matters;
Advises other attorneys, often with little notice, on complex areas;
Designs and implements procedures in consultation with supervisor to best achieve goals in specific area of expertise;
Represents the State, County, or client in state or county court, courts of appeals and federal courts;
Provides advice, leadership, and guidance to other attorneys as appropriate;
Drafts and recommends policies, procedures, practices, and specific actions to best deal with critical issues;
Manages legal/financial risks and satisfies often-conflicting legal requirements;
Establishes workable procedures to manage complex caseload;
Maintains daily contact with highest level officials in multiple offices with a variety of functions;
Counsels officials during time-critical crises;
Prepares complex, creative, high quality, and unique legal documents;
Issues written legal opinions to officials and seeks written opinions from the state Attorney General;
Interacts with the highest level of public officials;
Trains and instructs other lawyers, officials, and employees;
Assists in departmental policy development; develops unit forms and procedures;
Prepares and presents complex reports as required;
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;
Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;
Provides training in general and/or specialized area of expertise;
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.

Depending on area assigned:
County Attorney Office:

Provides advanced litigation and/or prosecutorial skills to one or several advanced areas of law or for cases with high visibility, including Juvenile, Child Protective Services, Criminal, Family Violence, Mental Health, or other high profile or most complex areas of law;
Represents the State of Texas in the prosecution of misdemeanor level crimes or civil violations for illegal dumping, clean air and water violations deceptive business practice and hot checks; prosecutes juvenile delinquency matters; may also prosecute bond forfeitures and represent the State in expunction proceedings;
Provides legal representation to obtain protective orders for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking/harassment; provides representation in child protective services cases and elder abuse, as well as mental health proceedings;
Provides general counsel services on a wide variety of civil matters including contract review, issuance of opinions, advising with respect to open government requirements; may review, analyze and draft legislation, as well as policies and procedures; attends and assists at the meetings of the Commissioners Court as well as numerous county boards and entities;
Provides representation to the County and its officials and employees in civil litigation brought against the County in both federal and state courts. interpretation and enforcement of land use regulations;
Provides representation to the Hospital District and affiliated non-profit entities. Attends and assists at the meetings of the governing boards for respective affiliates;
Prepares cases for trial;
Carries a litigation caseload;
Collects, organizes and prepares evidence, information and other legal materials;
Drafts briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, contracts and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports;
Oversees the creation and issuance of legal documents, including subpoenas, motions, orders, writs, warrants, contracts, official policies and other related documents;
Provides legal advice and counsel to the County Commissioner's Court and department heads on a variety of topics;
Prepares, reviews and revises contracts and/or lease agreements; provides legal advice to County staff; defends contracts or agreements; and
Responds to phone calls from the general public; provides legal advice or general information.

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:
Summary of Position:

The Principal Attorney under general supervision, and depending on area of assignment: provides highly complex and/or specialized general counsel and litigation services for various County Offices and staff; prosecutes criminal, civil and family law cases; high degree of independence represents, defends, and advocates for clients accused of a crime; performs the most complex non-supervisory legal work.
This is the third in a series of three non-supervisory attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family. Employees in this classification can be distinguished from other lower level attorney classifications due to the high level of latitude and independence with their work.
The Principal Attorney will be assigned to the Affirmative Litigation unit and will work on civil rights, economic justice, and environmental justice issues that directly impact residents in El Paso County through community outreach, advocacy, and litigation.
The attorney will develop relationships with community organizations and residents, and work with the County Commissioners Court, County Attorney and community stakeholders to prioritize and address identified community issues.
While 80% of the time spent on this position will be spent on Affirmative Litigation, the remaining 20% will be working in Civil Defense work. This includes providing highly complex and/or specialized litigation representation for various County Offices and staff in employment, tort claims, and contract matters.
At least a high level of Spanish proficiency is required for this position.

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.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: County, state, and federal legal principles, practices, procedures regarding the court system; state and local statutes and codes; case law; rules of evidence; contract terminology and requirements; legal practices and procedures; legal terminology; department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment; County organization, oper