****PLEASE NOTE THIS APPLICATION IS EXPRESSING INTEREST IN THIS ROLE AND NOT A FORMAL APPLICATION*****
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The General Litigation Division (GLD) prosecutes and defends a variety of cases, with a heavy emphasis on constitutional and civil rights litigation, employment litigation, and matters of public concern that impact the lives of Texans every day. You will work on matters big and small, ranging from individual civil rights claims to complex institutional reform litigation, class actions, and public policy litigation. AAG IV-Vs independently manage a dynamic, varied docket with ample opportunity to guide clients to successful resolutions or take cases to trial as a first chair attorney. AAG IV-Vs also serve vital roles on larger teams handling matters of great complexity and importance to the State.
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 (https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance) 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
- Represents state agencies and its officials in defense of lawsuits involving, but not limited to, civil rights (U.S. and Texas Constitution, Title VII, Sec. 1983 etc.), retaliation, employment, constitutionality of state statutes, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc., in both state and federal court
- Represents the State’s interests in many other proceedings not handled by the other civil litigation divisions, including lawsuits brought on behalf of the
- State and its agencies and officers to vindicate Texas’s sovereign and legal rights
- Conducts investigations, performs legal research, and prepares complex motions, including pleadings, briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents
- Prepares and tries cases in state and federal courts in defense of state agencies and state employees
- Provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to state agencies as assigned; performs analyses of complex factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery; prepares and files briefs in state and federal appellate courts
- Provides excellent client service and functions well with other attorneys and staff within a dynamic office environment
- 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 V: Performs all of the above functions PLUS:
- Prepares for and performs moderately complex duties of lead counsel in subject areas.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Assistant Attorney General IV:
- Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
- Experience: Three years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney working in the following (or closely related) fields: Civil Litigation
- Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
- Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
- Knowledge of laws and legal principles and practices relevant to the General Litigation Division
- 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 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 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 V: All of the above qualifications PLUS:
- Experience: One additional year of full-time experience as a licensed attorney working in the following (or closely related) fields: Civil Litigation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Assistant Attorney General IV:
- Exceptional academic credentials
- Law Review and/or post-graduation judicial clerkship Law Review and/or post-graduation judicial clerkship
- Tried at least two jury trials to a verdict in state and/or federal district court.
- Two years’ litigation experience in the following areas of law: civil rights, constitutional law, employment law, education law and health care law.
- Assistant Attorney General V: All of the above qualifications PLUS:
- Three years’ litigation experience in the following areas of law: civil rights, constitutional law, employment law, education law and health care law.
