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 seeking experienced civil litigators to join its Special Litigation Division (SLD). SLD, created in 2015 by Attorney General Ken Paxton, handles and coordinates high-profile, high-impact litigation for the State of Texas. Its primary focus is affirmative litigation to enforce the limits of government authority. Assistant Attorneys General in SLD are typically also appointed as Special Counsel and are responsible for litigating complex cases on a variety of subjects, from pre-filing research to appeal, in both state and federal court. SLD personnel collaborate frequently with other OAG divisions and advise, counsel, and assist client state agencies and OAG’s executive leadership.

The 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. 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 the state’s interest as counsel in all stages of significant, high-profile, and complex multi-divisional litigation matters involving a variety of legal areas at the pretrial, trial, and appellate level in both state and federal court by performing tasks that include conducting discovery; preparing legal documents (e.g., pleadings, briefs, memoranda); attending and participating actively in hearings and trials; and coordinating with other governmental bodies
• Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance to client state agencies and the agency’s Executive Administration on significant, multi-divisional litigation matters
• Oversees the preparation of cases for trial
• Oversees the analysis of factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery
• Represents the State’s interest in litigation matters
• Advises clients and management on factual and legal issues
• 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 for an Assistant Attorney General III, PLUS:

• With approval from Executive Administration and Agency Press Office, may represent the agency publicly at designated events (e.g., press conferences, meetings, public announcements) regarding significant, high-profile, and complex multi-divisional litigation matters

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

• Gives legal advice, counsel, and assistance to client state agencies and OAG Executive Administration on significant, multi-divisional litigation matters
• Supervises work of legal assistants
• Serves as subject-matter expert and resource for fellow OAG personnel regarding matters within SLD purview

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General III

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Experience: Two years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney working in the following (or closely related): litigation
• Licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas on or before agreed start date
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; and of state and federal laws,
• regulations, and rules
• Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in conducting investigations; in mediation and negotiations; in using reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; in using judgment to identify courses of action; and in the use of a computer and applicable software
• Ability to prepare legal documents, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize findings, to prepare cases and present at trial, to conduct hearings, to communicate effectively, and to supervise the work of others
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
• 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 5%

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

• Experience: One additional year of full-time litigation experience
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG workspace within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless otherwise approved)
• Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel

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

• Experience: One additional year of full-time litigation experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the Federal Administrative Procedure Act
• Experience analyzing issues of Federal and State Constitutional Law
• Federal or State Court Clerkship

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