District Attorney, Brett Ligon, has recently completed the latest round of hiring to bring his office to a full staff of prosecutors as currently authorized by the Commissioner’s Court. The latest addition to the office, Kourtney Teaff, began working in County Court Number Three, Judge Patrice McDonald, on Monday. Ms. Teaff replaces Jeff Helms who left the Intake Division of the office to work in the Victim Witness Section. Judge Mc Donald’s court is one of four county courts that hear criminal misdemeanor cases in this county. Her duties will include the review of cases, contact with victims, case preparation, and the disposition of those cases.
In addition to the regular oath as an attorney, prosecutors are required to take an additional oath of office to protect the Constitution and the laws. The newest judge in Montgomery County, Judge Lisa Michalk of the 221st District Court, volunteered to swear Ms. Teaff in as an assistant district attorney. The ceremony was held in Judge Michalk’s court with several spectators from the office. Ligon stated that Ms. Teaff brings a wealth of experience to the office and that he looks forward to a productive career from Ms. Teaff in Judge McDonald’s court.
Ms. Teaff joins this office from the Social Security Administration where she worked as a staff attorney. In addition, to that employment, Ms. Teaff worked as an intern in the Domestic Violence Section of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, a clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office in El Paso, and as a clerk with the United States Navy JAG Corps. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and the California Western School of Law.
