Job Description

Overview

The Garza Law Firms Criminal Defense Attorney is a position supporting the Criminal Division of the Firm. The Criminal Defense Attorney provides clients with legal advice and representation on charges related to criminal acts ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. This position collaborates with clients, peer attorneys, and team support members to ensure representation needs are met with fair and unbiased advocacy in criminal matters. This position requires a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree, admission to the Tennessee State Bar, and good standing with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Criminal Legal Practice: Personally handle assigned criminal cases from initial client meetings through local and federal court appearances. Conduct extensive client interaction, including intake review and ongoing client contact. Prepare clients for hearings, appear in court for arraignments, pretrial conferences, status dates, law and/or motion hearings, negotiate or settle cases, manage case development, and prepare matters for jury trial as required.
• New Potential Client Appointments: Review intake details to understand and determine case viability, quote representation pricing, create a contract, and coordinate with the Criminal Support Team (Paralegals and Legal Assistants) to provide ongoing updates to clients on case developments.
• Selling & Contractual Agreements: Be available for new potential appointments, know how to present Garza Law capabilities, quote clients based on casework and financial situation, obtain down payments, and communicate payment plans clearly.
• Legal Documentation: With the assistance of the Criminal Support Team, draft legal and motion pleadings and present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and effectively both in writing and orally.
• Legal Research and Strategy: Perform legal research, analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to develop the best strategy for positioning facts and evidence on behalf of clients.
• Case Documentation: Document and monitor case updates via Lead Docket and Filevine Tasks to ensure files are maintained and tasks completed on time.

Work Experience

Required:

• Proficient with Microsoft 365 Suite applications.
• Familiarity with case and client management software (e.g., Filevine, Vine Sign, Law Pay, Lead Docket, DocGen, etc.).
• 1-3 years of previous criminal law experience.

Preferred:

• 1-3 years of experience working in a small to medium law firm.
• 1-3 years of previous criminal hearings and/or trial experience.

Education / Certifications / Qualifications / Success Traits

Required:

• Must possess a Juris Doctorate and be licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee in good standing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills used in a professional setting.
• Experience quoting and selling clients on value, obtaining financial deposits, and handling contractual agreements.
• Represents Garza Law Firm professionally during all public interactions.
• Ability to manage large case volumes in a high-paced environment.
• Periodic travel to various counties for legal hearings.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for work and firm performance; commits to actions and answers for them without defensiveness or blame.
• Client Focus: Understands client needs, proactively identifies opportunities to serve, and seeks to exceed client expectations while maintaining relationships.
• Situational Adaptability: Maintains composure under pressure, adapts to change, and communicates effectively with diverse audiences.
• Action Oriented: Takes timely action on challenges and pursues opportunities with a can-do attitude.

Preferred:

• Conversational Spanish fluency as a second language.

Success Measures / KPIs

• Sign at least 20 new criminal clients per month (approximately).
• Obtain 50% of quoted fees at the point of signing New Potential Clients.
• Ensure that 90% of clients are met within 10 minutes of appointment arrival time.
• Ensure that 80% of all clients have been communicated with within 90 days and that their files are accurately updated on an ongoing basis.

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