Overview
Senior Commercial Counsel Jobs in Remote at Commure + Athelas
Job Summary
The Travis County Public Defender’s Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people, including juveniles and those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability, accused of criminal offenses via its three divisions- General, Juvenile and Mental Health.
PDO Investigators are a critical part of the defense team as they work in concert with public defender attorneys to investigate allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes and possible legal defenses to and mitigation against those allegations and use their findings to provide information to help guide the course and outcome of client representation.
* The position may be filled before the closing date. Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. *
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This job is in the Court Services job family. It is distinguished from the Investigator job in that it does not require TCOLE certification. Requires working irregular hours and/or occasionally traveling out of town/state and staying overnight as individual investigations demand.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the assigned attorney, and in coordination with other members of the defense team:
Plan and conduct complete investigations of criminal allegations and circumstances of clients lived experiences, including:
Identifying, evaluating and collecting information, data and evidence;
Visiting scenes, developing leads, contacts and sources of information;
Interviewing clients;
Locating and/or interviewing witnesses, complainants, family members, law enforcement officials, representatives of agencies and others across a wide variety of settings to gather statements and information on events surrounding allegations and/or relevant mitigating circumstances;
Serving subpoenas;
Taking photographs and measurements; and
Collecting and evaluating physical and testimonial evidence
Present orally and in writing findings of investigation, including:
Discussion and consultation with attorney and other members of the defense team;
Maintenance of complete and accurate records of investigative activities;
Preparation of written reports and statements;
Drawing diagrams to scale; and
Preparation of demonstrative evidence for use in proceedings related to the allegations such as diagrams, charts, and photographs.
Appear as a witness in proceedings related to the criminal allegations to present facts and information discovered during investigation, including facts and information relevant to legal defenses to and mitigation against the allegations.
All other duties as required.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Journalism, History or related field. Verifiable training or work/internship experience (cumulative minimum of 300 hours) performing investigative duties or intensive research in the field of law, media/journalism, public health/welfare, human/civil rights, education, social sciences, public policy/government/community development or related field.
OR,
Four years of verifiable experience as a licensed investigator or licensed administrative investigator. Experience must include performing investigative work in connection with administrative, juvenile petitions, criminal and/or civil crimes, complaints and/or violations.
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas driver’s license.
Special Requirements: Must be at least 21 years of age. Willingness to work irregular hours and/or occasionally travel out of town/state and stay overnight as individual investigations demand.
Please attach resume to online application.
Preferred:
Spanish fluency, written and oral strongly preferred.
Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender’s Office.
Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) engaging people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal systems.
Knowledge of:
The purpose and mission of the Public Defender’s Office;
Interviewing and investigative techniques and procedures;
Elements of criminal/civil offenses and legal defenses;
General rules of evidence;
Laws and practices relating to the service of subpoenas and the treatment of witnesses;
Standards of defense investigator ethics.
Skill in:
Critical analysis and evaluation.
Clear written and oral communication.
Basic data analysis.
General computing, word processing, and data entry.
Use of measuring devices and/or film/digital photograph equipment.
Organization and time management.
Socially and culturally competent interaction with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, professions, and cultures, including people from marginalized communities.
Ability to:
Recognize, collect, gather, and preserve evidence, including taking witness statements.
Be objective in fact finding.
Evaluate and analyze evidence, including forensic or scientific evidence, against elements of criminal offenses and legal defenses.
Determine priorities and importance of various types of evidence.
Quickly and consistently exercise sound judgment.
Adapt to many different environments.
Communicate effectively across lines of difference with others.
Keep accurate records.
Prepare written reports and documents of varying lengths.
Navigate databases and access Internet resources.
Work Environment & Other Information
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, driving, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities, and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant’s experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Department: Public Defender Office
Work Hours: 8 am – 5 pm, Monday -Friday. May work some holidays,
some nights, some weekends
Location: 1010 Lavaca Street, 2nd floor, Austin, TX 78701
Post-offer Criminal Background Check and Motor Vehicle Record Check required
Title: Senior Commercial Counsel
Company: Commure + Athelas
Location: Remote
