The
Harris County District Attorney’s Office has partnered with four of
Houston’s most prominent law firms to let recently graduated civil
litigation attorneys handle misdemeanor prosecutions
in the county’s 16 justice of the peace courts.
“The
program puts some of Houston’s best new lawyers in courtrooms to get
trial experience while lightening the workload for prosecutors assigned
to those courts, without costing taxpayers
a dime,” said District Attorney Kim Ogg. “Because the lawyers are
employed by large law firms, there is no added cost for Harris County.”
It’s a win for the law firms too. Baker Botts, Bracewell, Hunton Andrews Kurth and V&E are participating.
“We
appreciate any opportunity for our young lawyers to get in the
courtroom,” said Tony Visage with Bracewell. “The Harris County DA
program provides real world experience, including working
with opposing counsel and interacting with the Court.”
Jason
Powers, a partner at participating firm Vinson & Elkins, said
“We’re excited about this program, both because of the experience it can
provide our lawyers and because it is an honor
to provide a public service like this here in our hometown.”
V&E associate Anna Johnson, who tried her first case as a volunteer prosecutor, agreed.
“Being able to try a case before a jury as a first year associate was an incredible opportunity,” she said.
The program is overseen by Yvonne Taylor, chief of human resources and Johanna Craft, chief of the justice court section.
The
program allows civil litigation attorneys, working with the approval of
their law firm and under the authority of the Harris County District
Attorney, to volunteer as pro bono attorneys
in the high-volume JP courts, generally for one day a week for six
months.
Before
they begin, they attend three day-long trainings: a trial skills boot
camp, a docket management training and shadowing a prosecutor for a day.
“It’s
important for the development of the young lawyers at the law firms,
not just for the trial advocacy skills, but also to expand their view of
the community,” said Taylor, the HR chief.
“It gives them an opportunity to give back, to make the community safer
and helps them develop a sense of compassion for people in situations
they might not see otherwise.”
Craft, chief of the justice section, said the help is welcome.
“These
kinds of partnerships ensure that young lawyers get trial experience
while law firms are able to use their pro bono hours to give back to the
community in a coordinated and meaningful
way.”
Participating Law Firms and Attorneys
Baker Botts
Kelly Hannen
Jeremy Walter
Bracewell
Daisy Puente
Matt Mallett
Hunton, Andrews, and Kurth
Michael Bender
Vinson & Elkins
Jessica Pagano
Andrea Cohen
Anna Johnson
Ben Betner
Brooke Noble