Job Description

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

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Solicitor General Division represents the State of Texas before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Texas Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and all state courts of appeals. Assistant Solicitors General represent the State, state agencies, and state officers in the most difficult, complex, and significant litigation, both civil and criminal, before the very highest state and federal courts. Frequent areas of litigation include constitutional questions generally, First Amendment challenges, federalism, sovereign immunity, habeas corpus, and complex statutory interpretation. Work involves researching and drafting briefs, preparing and delivering oral arguments, and handling all aspects of appeals and appellate-related trial matters; planning and organizing work assignments; interpreting laws and regulations; providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance to client state agencies; representing the State’s interest before trial and appellate courts; reviewing, evaluating, and rendering legal opinions; researching, preparing, and drafting legal memoranda; and assisting in drafting bills for legislative consideration. Supervises other attorneys and staff as needed. Performs highly complex to highly advanced appellate work (job duties will vary with experience).

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 (AAG) V:

• Represents the state’s interests before state and federal appellate courts; research and drafts briefs; prepares for and delivers oral arguments; provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to client state agencies; performs legal research and reports findings and conclusions
• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues related to appellate matters, such as dispositive pleadings, jury charges, post-trial motions, and appellate briefs and motions
• Assists with training less experienced staff
• 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

AAG VI–All of the above functions, PLUS:

• Assists with training less experienced staff

AAG VII–All of the above functions, PLUS:

• Mentors and trains less experienced staff

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) V:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school
• Experience: Four years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney working in the following (or closely related) fields: appellate law
• Experience: Judicial clerkship in a federal or state appellate court
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
• Knowledge of laws, legal principles, and practices relevant to appellate matters
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• 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 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 on approved leave)
• 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 10%

AAG VI–All of the above qualifications, PLUS:

• Experience: Two additional years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney

AAG VII–All of the above qualifications, PLUS:

• Experience: Two additional years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney

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