Resource Attorney

Salary: $139,000.00 - $145,000.00 Annually
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17448
Department: Office of Managed Assigned Counsel
Opening Date: 10/30/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
Position Overview:
The Resource Attorney serves as a key liaison between MAC, appointed counsel, and the courts. This position provides direct support, oversight, training, and operational assistance to attorneys on the MAC appointment list, helping to promote quality representation, ensure compliance with program standards, and address challenges that arise during the course of appointed cases. As one of four Resource Attorneys, the position is responsible for providing direct support and management to a designated group of MAC-appointed attorneys.
Impact of the Role:
Resource Attorneys play a critical role in maintaining the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of representation provided through the MAC program. Through mentorship, oversight, training, and problem-solving, Resource Attorneys help ensure that appointed counsel are equipped to provide zealous, client-centered representation while advancing MAC's mission of delivering excellent indigent defense services to the Harris County community.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Resource Attorney's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as the primary point of contact between MAC and assigned misdemeanor courts.
• Assisting with the administration and management of attorney appointments for attorneys approved to accept misdemeanor cases through MAC.
• Monitoring attorney caseloads to promote appropriate workload distribution and compliance with MAC standards and applicable regulations.
• Providing guidance, resources, mentoring, and ongoing support to MAC-appointed attorneys.
• Assisting attorneys with the resolution of day-to-day issues involving discovery, litigation strategy, trial preparation, and other case-related matters.
• Facilitating conflict resolution involving appointed attorneys, clients, prosecutors, or members of the judiciary when issues arise.
• Serving as first-chair or second-chair counsel when necessary to support appointed attorneys and ensure continuity of representation.
• Assisting in the development, coordination, and delivery of training programs for MAC-appointed attorneys.
• Monitoring, maintaining, and enhancing legal resources available through MAC, including both physical and electronic reference materials used in appointed cases.
• Conducting legal research and analysis on issues affecting indigent defense and MAC operations.
• Reviewing and evaluating attorney performance and identifying areas requiring improvement through observation, feedback, and review of available program data.
• Developing and implementing corrective action plans for appointed attorneys in coordination with division leadership when serious performance concerns arise
• Providing targeted coaching, mentoring, training, and follow-up to support compliance with MAC standards and the delivery of high-quality client representation.
• Assisting with special projects, policy initiatives, and operational planning efforts.
• Supporting the Misdemeanor Division Chief with attorney training and professional development initiatives.
• Supporting the Legal Operations Director with legal research, program development, strategic planning, and other operational responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements
Required Supporting Documents:

• Cover letter
• Updated resume
• Three (3) references that include the nature of the relationship as to each reference in addition to their contact information.
• Writing sample specifically in the area of criminal law that does not exceed six (6) double-spaced pages.
• A current letter of good standing from your state bar of practice.

Applicants who do not completely comply with submission requirements will not be considered for an interview.

ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE ATTACHED AT THE TIME THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED.

NO DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION.
Education and Experience:

• A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law college or university.
• A Texas law license in good standing
  • OR proof of submission for admission without examination with 30 days of acceptance of offer is required (permission of submissions beyond 30 days are based upon exigent circumstances and within Executive Director's discretion).
• At least five (5) years' experience as a criminal trial attorney, with a significant portion of that time having represented criminal defendants.
• Jury trial experience required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Solid understanding of Texas criminal law, procedure, and evidence.
• Must be able to manage and teach other attorneys, and to practice law in a large institutional environment.
• Must possess deep knowledge of trial skills as well as the ability to teach them.

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

• Applicants who are currently licensed to practice in Texas.
• At least five (5) jury trials as lead counsel.

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time | 40 hours per week
• Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM., in-person
  • Occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department.

Salary:

• $139,000 - $145,000 Annually
• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This job work environment mostly operates in a professional office environment. Depending upon the task however, the location may vary as follows: court, jail visits if necessary, and off-site meetings when necessary, pertaining to job duties. Travel may be required to visit clients. The main base for the position is in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as IT equipment, computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, fax machines and filing cabinets is routine. Travel may be required. Work location may vary by court, or office location depending on caseload.
• This job operates in a professional office environment with general office equipment usage of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines and is in person. The physical demands associated with this job are minimal, with occasional lifting and moving of objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Ongoing interview | Position will remain open until hire
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

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

Have you earned a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, university or college?(Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

02

Are you currently licensed in good standing to practice law in the State of Texas?

• Yes
• No

03

If you are not currently in good standing, can you provide proof of submission for admission without examination with 30 days of acceptance of offer?(Please attach all applicable documentation along with your application.)

• Yes
• No

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience as criminal trial attorney, with a significant portion of that time having represented criminal defendants?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than five (5) years
• Five (5) years but less than six (6) years
• Six (6) years but less than seven (7) years
• Seven (7) years or more
• I do not have this experience

05

Do you have jury trial experience?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have at least five (5) years of jury trial experience as lead counsel?

• Yes
• No

07

This application requires the following attachments:-Cover letter-Updated resume-Three (3) references that include the nature of the relationship as to each reference in addition to their contact information.-Writing sample specifically in the area of criminal law that does not exceed six (6) double-spaced pages.-A current letter of good standing from your state bar of practice or proof of submission for admission without examination with 30 days.Did you attach all required documents to this application?

• Yes

Required Question