Associate Judge - (Child Welfare & Family Docket)

Job Summary

Presides over hearings and trials referred by District Judge, primarily in areas regarding child welfare and family law, but also including: general civil, juvenile and tax law. Makes rulings on the trial procedure and on the production and admissibility of evidence, including documents and witness testimony, and resolves discovery disputes.

Recommends findings of fact and conclusions of law. Puts witnesses under oath and may examine parties and witnesses under oath. Directs the making of records of the evidence offered and excluded at hearings.

Conducts research on legal issues necessary to decide cases. Recommends order for District Judges' approval upon completion of hearing. May draft orders for District Judges' approval.

Reviews pleadings and reports filed in termination and adoption cases prior to hearings. Supervises, confers with and gives direction to court personnel on individual cases before the Court and on general court procedures. Consults with attorneys, in person and by telephone, in uncontested cases concerning proper court procedure for applications filed in the Court.

Regulates docketing and court procedures for cases referred to Associate Judges. Reviews claims for payment filed by attorneys appointed to represent indigent parties. Serves and participates on committees working on access to justice, family violence, family law case docketing, and other issues.

The start date for this position is Monday June 3, 2024.

Duties and Responsibilities

Performs other job-related duties as assigned including:

• Appointed as an Associate Judge pursuant to Chapter 201 of the Texas Family Code and has all the powers and duties set forth in those sections and in the Local Rules of the District Courts of Travis County including child welfare matters such as foster care and child protective services. Empowered to hear and may be referred any civil case or any portion of a case brought under or in connection with Title 1,2,3,4 or 5 of the Texas Family Code.

• Appointed as a Master for tax suits pursuant to Section 33.71 of the Texas Tax Code and is empowered to hear and may be referred any civil cases or any portion of a civil case brought under or in connection with Title 1, Chapter 33, Subchapter C of the Texas Tax Code and will make recommendations in reports to the district courts on all factual and legal findings and conclusions relevant to their disposition on the merits or to the disposition of any matter necessary to be decided in connection with these cases. The Local Administrative Judge on behalf of the other district courts may determine which cases should be referred and the manner of referral which will include the Local Rules of the Travis County District Courts.

Minimum Requirements

J. D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and must have been a practicing lawyer or judge, or both, for the four (4) years preceding the appointment as an Associate Judge, during which time law license cannot have been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.

Must be a citizen of the United States and Texas and must have been a resident of Travis County for two (2) years preceding the appointment. Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Preferred:

Knowledge and experience as an attorney or judge in child welfare law, family law, and juvenile law.

Have been a practicing lawyer or judge, or both, for the eight (8) years preceding the appointment as an Associate Judge,during which time law license cannot have been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Child Welfare Law, Family Law and

Juvenile Law as an attorney or judge.

• Constitutional, statutory and case lawand rules relating to judicial procedures, rules of evidence and operations of Travis County District Courts.

• Management principles and practices.

• Area of law assigned.

• Business English, grammar, punctuation.

• Microsoft Office Suite software.

Skill in: