Opinion: County Attorney Glen Eisen’s Admitted Lack of Experience Leads to Costly Mistakes

When Glen Eisen was appointed as Jeff Davis County Attorney in March 2023, there was cautious optimism about his willingness to step into the role. However, Eisen himself admitted to the Big Bend Sentinel that he was stepping into “quite a bit different” job from his previous career in tax law. Despite his background as a Houston-based tax attorney, Eisen’s lack of experience in governmental legal matters has quickly become apparent, leading to costly missteps that have put the county in a difficult position.

One of the most significant blunders has been the county’s use of public funds to block the release of documents in response to public records requests filed by Big Bend Times publisher David Flash. Eisen turned to two external law firms—Austin-based Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP and El Paso’s Windle Hood Norton Brittain & Jay LLP—to handle the dispute. The county spent $14,012.55—nearly triple Eisen’s monthly salary—to prevent the release of more than 500 pages of documents. Most county attorneys manage these matters in-house, balancing transparency with legal constraints. Eisen’s decision to engage costly outside counsel reflects his admitted lack of experience with public records laws and his inability to navigate complex government legal issues on his own.

Equally concerning is the breach of confidentiality within Eisen’s office, which may have crossed into criminal territory. Lisa Dennison, an assistant in the county attorney’s office, allegedly accessed and disclosed confidential information in a public setting. In October 2023, Dennison confronted Flash at an Alpine bakery, claiming to have viewed a bodycam recording of him and accusing him of yelling at a police officer. She loudly repeated her accusations in an attempt to publicly shame him. Dennison asserted that her knowledge came from her position in the county attorney’s office, raising serious questions about the misuse of confidential information.

Flash subsequently filed a criminal complaint against Dennison, citing violations of Texas Government Code Section 552.352, which prohibits unauthorized use and disclosure of confidential information. If proven, this breach could result in a misdemeanor charge with penalties of up to $1,000 in fines, six months’ confinement, or both. Despite the severity of the situation, Eisen’s response has been lackluster. He acknowledged the breach and apologized, but he failed to outline or implement corrective measures to prevent future incidents. This hands-off approach reflects a troubling gap in Eisen’s grasp of his responsibilities, as protecting sensitive information is a cornerstone of the county attorney’s role.

Furthermore, Eisen’s mishandling of his own conflict of interest has added to the county’s legal woes. Flash’s public records dispute is part of a larger civil claim against Jeff Davis County, which began with notices of claim filed months before a deputy issued a retaliatory traffic ticket against him. This ticket, Flash argues, came after the county had already hired external counsel to defend against his claims, a clear indication that Eisen should have immediately recused himself from handling the case. Yet, despite these ongoing claims and his direct involvement in the county’s defense, Eisen has refused to step aside. His reluctance to withdraw demonstrates a disregard for ethical standards and the impartiality expected of a county attorney. This lack of judgment highlights his inexperience in government law, where conflicts of interest must be managed with the utmost care.

Eisen’s background did not adequately prepare him for the role he now finds himself in. Before moving to Jeff Davis County full-time in 2020, he worked primarily in tax law, advising businesses on federal and state taxation. Upon taking the county attorney position, Eisen admitted to the Big Bend Sentinel that his previous experience, while helpful in some ways, did not directly align with the responsibilities of his new role. This self-awareness is notable, yet the ensuing missteps suggest that his admitted lack of experience is not just a hurdle; it’s a significant barrier to effective governance. His reliance on costly outside counsel and his failure to properly manage his office’s handling of confidential information underscore the consequences of placing someone in a position they are not fully equipped to handle.

To compound the problem, Eisen was the only candidate willing to take on the county attorney role when Teresa Todd retired. With no one running for the position in the March 2024 primaries, and Eisen not seeking election, the county faces the prospect of being without a county attorney again come January. This uncertainty highlights the importance of filling this role with someone who not only has legal credentials but also a deep understanding of governmental law and a commitment to ethical standards.

Eisen’s tenure has made clear that the county attorney’s job is not one that can be picked up with general legal knowledge. It requires specific expertise in public law, confidentiality standards, and conflict management—areas where Eisen’s admitted inexperience has led to costly and troubling errors. While his willingness to serve might have filled a temporary gap, the reality of his performance suggests that Jeff Davis County needs more than just a candidate willing to take the job; it needs someone prepared to navigate its complexities and responsibilities with skill and integrity.