Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16920
Department: District Courts
Opening Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: 8/8/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position DescriptionPosition Overview:This position is an on-site position that provides legal assistance for the District Court Judges, the Court Administrator and administrative staff. The staff attorney operates as part of a small legal team, providing advice on matters of law arising from the operation of courts as well as offering guidance on the relationships between the courts and with other governmental agencies. The position is an in-house, general counsel position with a focus on the Government Code, the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, and the Rules of Judicial Administration, supporting the family and juvenile divisions. The fast-paced and varied nature of the family and juvenile courts necessitates in person work. Staff counsel must be available to attend court or appear in chambers for assistance.
Duties and Responsibilities:- Provide legal assistance to the Judges of the District Courts as they may request. This assistance includes being physically available to attend court or come to chambers to discuss a pending matter. While a judge of any division may ask for assistance, the concentration will be primarily on the family and juvenile divisions.
- Assist in the preparation of jury instructions and furnish legal authority for such charges when asked.
- Assist in direct and indirect contempt actions, as requested by the judiciary. This assistance includes attending court proceedings as requested.
- Provide ethical guidance and updates to the Judges of the District Courts and to the staff of the administrative offices. This includes CE / CLE updates on matters of ethics and judicial administration.
- Review recent Federal and State decisions that affect the jurisprudence of, and are of interest to, the District Courts.
- Assist in preparation of various forms for general court use.
- Assist in preparation of rules for practice and procedure in the District Courts.
- Attend meetings of the district judges, as requested, and provide legal support in those meetings, as requested.
- Review, track and report on pending and enacted legislation as it pertains to the practice and procedure in the District Courts.
- Assist in preparation of bills that the District Courts deem advantageous for consideration by the legislature and enactment into law.
- Assist the District Courts in matters of law that arise concerning other agencies that affect the operation of the District Courts.
- Assist in responding to Rule 12 requests (the judicial equivalent of public information requests).
- Request legal representation for the judiciary from the Attorney General's Office when a district judge is sued, and from the county attorney's office when the suit involves a county employee.
- Provide legal assistance to the District Court Administrator on matters of form and procedure.
- Other duties as designated by the Local Administrative District Judge or that Judge's designee.
RequirementsEducation and Experience:- Graduate of an accredited law school.
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law.
- Minimum of ten (10) contested family and/or juvenile final bench trials tried to decision in Texas and 1 jury trial in Texas (any area of law) tried to verdict, or five (5) non-Anders appellate briefs on family law or juvenile law matters filed with a Texas appellate court, or four (4) years of experience in Texas as a family law or juvenile law associate judge, juvenile master or juvenile referee.
- Substantially equivalent experience as a government attorney or an attorney to an elected or appointed official will be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Demonstrate ability in legal research and writing.
Licensure:- Shall be an attorney in good standing and licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
- Shall be in good standing with 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 - Preference for board certification in family law, juvenile law or child welfare law.
- Certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law, juvenile law or child welfare law desirable
General InformationPosition Type and Typical Hours of Work:- Regular Full-time
- Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.
Salary:- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 Pay Periods
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.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 BENEFITSHarris 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 graduate of an accredited law school?
02
Are you an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Texas?
03
Are you in good standing with the State Bar of Texas?
04
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in the practice of law?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
- Less than ten (10) years
- Ten (10) years but less than eleven (11) years
- Eleven (11) years but less than twelve (12) years
- Twelve (12) years or more
- I do not have this experience
05
Do you have a minimum of ten (10) contested family and/or juvenile final bench trials tried to decision in Texas and one (1) jury trial in Texas (any area of law) tried to verdict, or five (5) non-Anders appellate briefs on family law or juvenile law matters filed with a Texas appellate court, or four (4) years of experience in Texas as a family law or juvenile law associate judge, juvenile master or juvenile referee or substantially equivalent experience as a government attorney or an attorney to an elected or appointed official?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
06
Do you have a certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law, juvenile law or child welfare law?
Required Question
