Tonya G. Whitzel
Dallas,United States
Summary
Attorney equipped with excellent organizational and time management skills. I am a strong communicator and can efficiently manage multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines. I possess excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think and act quickly to find creative solutions. I am team-oriented and can communicate with empathy and compassion while consistently exhibiting a professional work ethic.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Asst. City Attorney-Chief Prosecutor
Irving City Attorney's Office
01.2022 - Current
- Supervise and oversee a staff which includes two attorneys and one support staff to help improve skills, achieve daily objectives, and attain advancement. Staff weekly with Presiding Judge and Court Director to manage court dockets and expectations. I manage our weekly employee schedules, balancing individual requests and requirements with court needs.
- Respond to citizen and defendant concerns, and work with court managers and staff to keep court dockets moving consistently.
- Collect and manage monthly statistical data about our Division to report to the City Attorney's Office so that they can evaluate our productivity.
- Report directly to the City Attorney; and, meet with him weekly to advise and report on the Prosecutor's Office within the Municipal Court about any involvement or concerns we may have with any other department.
Asst. City Attorney II
Irving City Attorney's Office
12.2016 - 01.2022
- Represented the State in any contested trials. Answered all Motions.
- Represented the State in all E.P.O. modification request hearings and Interlock violation hearings.
- Represented the State in all dangerous dog hearings and dog seizure hearings.
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated all attorney dockets for the court. Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and ordinances to advise the court and other departments.
- Handled any expunctions filed with the court.
- Drafted language for complaints based on new legislation each session, as needed.
- Developed legal strategies to protect the court's interests and resolve disputes.
Assistant District Attorney-Felony Level
Dallas County District Attorney's Office
12.2014 - 12.2016
- Chief of CCCAp1 where I handled the monthly attorney pretrial docket for the court. This consisted of being certified to run all NCIC inquiries and driving records, negotiating recommendations on the approximate 1,000 case monthly docket, meeting with approximately 80 defense attorneys to resolve said cases and/or going to trial to resolve cases.
- Handled all Misdemeanor Competency cases for Judge Skemp's Outpatient Restoration program. The position entailed daily staffing with my P.D. counterpart, case managers and resolution of cases to competency restoration.
- While I was in the Misdemeanor Division, I was lead prosecutor for Judge Wade's Mental Health Jail Diversion program. In that capacity, following Best Practice, I did background criminal checks daily and evaluated potential divertees for the 6-month program and was part of a twice-weekly staffing and check-in program which strived to encourage Defendants to follow through on mental health services and education.
Associate Attorney
Law Offices Of Robert S. Gregg
05.2005 - 12.2014
- Managed and filed all case pleadings and posted all attorney bonds for a high-volume law firm while handling approximately 300 cases a month in all municipal courts in and around Dallas County.
- Dealt daily with court staff, prosecutors and appeared before the Court. Met with clients in those courts and explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases. Extensive trial experience at the municipal court level, including traffic, Class C penal offenses and municipal ordinance cases. Helped to oversee and manage eight legal assistants, effectively communicating with and supporting said staff on a daily basis. At the firm, I also engaged in heavy phone interaction daily addressing client inquiries, problem solving and providing new client information.
Education
J.D. -
Texas A&M University School of Law
Fort Worth, TX2003
Skills
- Effective Communicator
- Organized
- Results-oriented
- Logical and resourceful
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Flexible and Adaptable
Affiliations
- Member - TDCAA, TMCEC, DBA, TML
- Singley Law Academy Board Member
Additional Information
* Will be happy to provide references upon request
Timeline
Sr. Asst. City Attorney-Chief Prosecutor
Irving City Attorney's Office
01.2022 - Current
Asst. City Attorney II
Irving City Attorney's Office
12.2016 - 01.2022
Assistant District Attorney-Felony Level
Dallas County District Attorney's Office
12.2014 - 12.2016
Associate Attorney
Law Offices Of Robert S. Gregg
05.2005 - 12.2014
J.D. -
Texas A&M University School of Law
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