Job Description

****PLEASE NOTE THIS APPLICATION IS EXPRESSING INTEREST IN THIS ROLE AND NOT A FORMAL APPLICATION*****

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas. As the State’s law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. Lawyers in the Administrative Law Division (ALD) represent dozens of state agencies in court defending the interests of Texas on a variety of issues fundamental to people across the state. The work is exciting, and our lawyers manage their own dockets as first chair. If you want to go to court, work on important and diverse legal issues, make a difference, and serve the public, then we want you in ALD. Applicants may either work in the Austin office or at an OAG regional office in Houston.

ALD is seeking an attorney who has experience in administrative law, or is willing to learn, and is willing to represent state agencies in state and federal district and appellate courts. This position involves handling enforcement matters, including suits to enjoin unlicensed activity and for civil penalties, and defensive matters, including administrative appeals, rule challenges, ultra vires claims, and defending the OAG in cases arising under the Public Information Act. This position will also involve assisting state agencies in responding to non-party subpoenas and may involve providing general counsel assistance to state agencies.

OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits ( along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans. Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) experience the challenge and honor of public service while enjoying a healthy work-life balance; hands-on legal experience; and engaging camaraderie in Austin, the scenic and lively capital of Texas.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

Assistant Attorney General III:

• Represents state agencies in state and federal district and appellate courts in matters involving judicial review of agency orders, enforcement proceedings, actions challenging agency rules and statutes, open records litigation, and non-party subpoenas; may serve as general counsel to state agencies
• Takes and defends depositions
• Drafts pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, and discovery; participates in trial and appellate advocacy
• Analyzes factual and legal issues
• Performs legal research
• Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance
• Prepares cases for trials
• Represents state agencies and the State of Texas in court
• Represents state agencies in administrative enforcement proceedings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Independently manages a diverse litigation docket with general supervision
• Performs related work as assigned
• Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
• Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
• Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity

Assistant Attorney General IV – All of the above functions of an Assistant Attorney General III, PLUS:

• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General III:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Experience: Two years of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
• Must be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas by start date
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; and of state and federal laws, regulations, and rules relevant to administrative law
• Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in using reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; and in using judgment to identify courses of action
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Skill in conducting effective research
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave.)
• Ability to prepare legal documents, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize findings, to prepare cases for trial, to conduct hearings, and to communicate effectively
• Ability to present cases at trial
• Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
• Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
• Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 20%

Assistant Attorney General IV – All of the above qualifications of an Assistant Attorney General III, PLUS:

• Experience: One additional year of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: Four years civil litigation experience or equivalent, including appellate and brief-writing experience
• First chair experience in handling bench or jury trials
• Experience in administrative law, including knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act
• Experience interpreting and applying open records, open meetings, and other open government statutes

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