The Office

The Compliance & Revenue Division specializes in lawsuits for debt collection and enforcement of laws that protect the interest of Harris County. This practice group files lawsuits for collecting fines, taxes, judgments, worker’s compensation, property damage, contract, and other monies owed to Harris County. Their enforcement of laws involve cases of public health, deed restriction, crime victim’s compensation, and animal cruelty/ dangerous dog seizure warrants. The group represents Harris County and numerous entities including the Harris County Appraisal Review Board, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, the Harris County Tax Office, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Harris County Constables, and the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Employment division provides full service in-house advice and counsel to County departments and elected offices related to virtually all aspects of employment by the County, often in partnership with human resources professionals.  In addition, the Employment division responds to threats of litigation and represents the County and elected offices in agency investigations of employment matters as well as litigation in state and federal court.

The Defensive Litigation Division represents Harris County and various county entities, as well as county officials and employees, in general civil litigation. We handle a wide variety of cases filed in state court, including, for example, cases arising from automobile collisions, injuries suffered in parks, buildings and flood control ditches, contract disputes and the denial of bail bond licenses. Our attorneys also represent Harris County and its officials and employees in civil rights lawsuits filed in state and federal courts. These attorneys also represent Harris County and other county entities in federal and state lawsuits, in civil service commission and labor arbitration, and other administrative proceedings involving employment claims.

The Affirmative Litigation Division represents Harris County and various county entities in complex, high impact matters in a variety of areas, including consumer protection, nuisance, environmental, fraud, and contractual matters. We also investigate potential claims and regulatory enforcement against businesses and individuals. Our goal is advance and protect, through litigation, the well-being, health and safety of Harris County residents.

The CPS Division represents the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in actions involving abused and neglected children in Harris County. We seek to obtain outcomes that are in the best interest of the children. These cases involve litigation under the Texas Family Code, and advising case workers.

The Disability and Elder Law Division represents the Harris County Guardianship Program, in which adults are under the supervision of the Harris County Probate Courts. This practice group works closely with The State of Texas in Mental Health commitment. They also collaborate with the Harris County Senior Justice Assessment Center, a consortium of state and county agencies that review cases/offer services for elderly victims of abuse and exploitation.

The Real Estate Division handles legal matters regarding the County’s acquisitions and sales of real property. This includes legal research and drafting of legal documents for the purchase, sale, lease and operation of real estate including land title examinations, contracts, leases and concession agreements for parks and county buildings, roads and other public purposes. This division also litigates matters regarding real property, which includes the County’s acquisition of property through the power of eminent domain, declaratory judgments and inverse condemnations.

The office also includes the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, which is a public library that serves the legal information needs of self-represented litigants, legal professionals, the judiciary, and County and other governmental officials. Public access to legal information is a critical component of open and equal access to the justice system. By order of Commissioners Court it is a part of the Harris County Attorney’s Office and is funded by a fee accessed on all civil suits filed in the county and district courts of Harris County.

The General Counsel Division provides legal advice to the County’s elected and appointed officials, and employees. This practice group provides general legal services covering law enforcement, public works, community services, road and building construction, park site planning and development, vendor selection and contract development, agreement preparation for design and engineering services, real property transactions, inter-local agreements with other governmental jurisdictions, Public Information Act requirements, open meetings requirements, and the application of state and federal laws and regulations related to HIV/AIDS programs, the medical examiner, parks and library operations, disaster planning, and emergency management services.

The Hospital District Division provides general civil legal representation for the Harris County Hospital District (Harris Health System), its Board of Managers, Ben Taub, Lyndon B. Johnson and Quentin Mease Hospitals, and more than a dozen community health centers.

The Environmental Division enforces environmental laws and related County development regulations. It represents the public’s interest by opposing the issuance and renewal of environmental permits if the permit would be detrimental to public health. They also ensure Harris County’s compliance with environmental regulations; represents the county in state administrative hearings; and coordinates with federal, state, and local stakeholders on environmental legislation, rules, and policies affecting the county and its citizens.