****PLEASE NOTE THIS APPLICATION IS EXPRESSING INTEREST IN THIS ROLE AND NOT A FORMAL APPLICATION*****
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Office of the Attorney General’s Opinion Committee division researches and drafts formal legal opinions publicly issued by the Attorney General in discharge of his constitutional and statutory duty to provide legal guidance to authorized requestors. The Opinion Committee engages in a wide array of challenging and novel legal issues and works closely with executive administration and the Attorney General to ensure formal legal opinions are of the highest quality and provide all Texans with sound legal advice. Although the Attorney General’s formal legal opinions are non-binding, they are considered persuasive authority in Texas and are routinely relied on by state agencies and local governments as quasi-judicial interpretations of law. Attorneys in the Opinion Committee division work in a collaborative environment in which work-product is improved through a peer-review process with an aim toward a standard of excellence that is consistent with the Texas OAG’s reputation as the most sophisticated and dynamic state attorney general’s office in America. This is selective opportunity for attorneys with strong research and writing skills and is ideally suited for applicants with clerkship experience, experience as a staff attorney in the judicial branch of government, or with appellate or local-government 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 (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.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Performs advanced managing attorney work by assisting the Opinion Committee Division Chief with operational and strategic initiatives. Work involves directing, planning, organizing and monitoring legal activities; works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Assists the division chief in supervising the development and issuance of legal opinions written on behalf of the Attorney General and, when the chief is absent, assumes daily leadership of the division. The deputy also assists with drafting opinions, memoranda, correspondence, and miscellaneous publications; division-related employment decisions, evaluations, and supervision; and general management of division workflow.
- Manages open government initiatives, including legal hotlines, training review, annual conferences.
- Drafts complex formal legal opinions and rulings, memoranda, correspondence, and publications.
- Conducts or supervises independent research initiatives, which are reported to the division chief and executive leadership team.
- Reviews and provides guidance on work-product of line attorneys.
- Participates in public speaking engagements.
- Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
- Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to applicable security and safety rules, regulations, and standards.
- 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
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.
Experience:
- Five years of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney.
- Knowledge of federal and state laws affecting state agencies and local governments.
- Skill in handling prioritizing multiple tasks and meeting time-sensitive deadlines.
- Skill in effective oral and written communication. [Writing sample required at time of interview, if selected]
- Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making.
- Skill in performing complex legal research.
- Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval.
- Ability to identify relevant legal issues and render clear, accurate legal advice.
- Ability to analyze legislation/statutes.
- Ability to write under pressure and to respond to deadlines.
- Ability to verbally communicate legal arguments.
- Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback.
- Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment.
- Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel.
- 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 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 15%
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Judicial clerkship, appellate litigation, or other complex legal writing experience.
Skills: Capacity for independent leadership as well as excellent oral and written communication.
