****PLEASE NOTE THIS APPLICATION IS EXPRESSING INTEREST IN THIS ROLE AND NOT A FORMAL APPLICATION*****
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Law Enforcement Defense Division (LEDD) of the Office of the Attorney General represents the state’s law enforcement agencies and their officials & employees in civil proceedings in both federal and state court. All of the Assistant Attorneys General in LEDD have a robust litigation practice that includes motion and discovery practice, jury trial experience and, in many cases, matters at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and state courts of appeals. LEDD is seeking a licensed attorney ready to handle all aspects of civil litigation, gain valuable trial experience, and join a collegial team of 25+ enthusiastic litigators.
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 law enforcement agencies, officials, and employees in defense of lawsuits involving but not limited to: civil rights, employment law, torts, constitutional law, religious liberties, and class actions in both state and federal court
- Handles all aspects of litigation, including: legal research and memoranda, witness preparation, client communications, case briefings, written discovery, depositions, pre-trial motions, dispositive motions (e.g., motions for summary judgment), hearings, mediations, trials (throughout Texas in both state and federal court as lead counsel and/or co-counsel), post-trial debriefings
- Provides excellent client service and functions well with other attorneys and staff within a dynamic office environment
- Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance to client state agencies and law enforcement entities
- 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
- Manages a docket of moderately complex level cases
- Assistant Attorney General (AAG) II: all the above functions for an AAG I. Plus: Manages a docket of intermediate level cases Assistant Attorney General
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Assistant Attorney General I:
- Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree
- Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
- Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
- Knowledge of relevant law and legal principles and practices
- Excellent organization/administrative skills, including a strong, consistent attention to detail and organized work style
- Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
- Skill in effective oral and written communication (Note: Writing sample may be required for selected interviewees.)
- Skill in conducting legal research
- 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 more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
- 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 lift and relocate 30 lbs.
- Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
- Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 25%
- Assistant Attorney General II – All of the above qualifications for an AAG I. Plus:
- Experience: One year of full-time experience as a licensed attorney working civil litigation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Two years as a licensed attorney practicing in civil litigation
- Courtroom experience in state and/or federal court (e.g., arguing motions, trial)
- Exceptional academic credentials
- Law Review and/or post-graduation judicial clerkship
- Law school mock trial experience
