OAG - Consumer Protection | Assistant Attorney General III-IV | 25-0579

The Consumer Protection Division seeks a licensed attorney for a highly competitive position on its Public Health Team that can also assist on high priority matters handled by the Special Litigation Team. Work involves planning and coordinating investigations into high-profile public health matters, including issuing Civil Investigative Demands, taking pre-suit depositions of well-represented opponents, and navigating privilege, preemption, and other defenses asserted as part of these investigations. This candidate will also be comfortable driving fast-paced investigations and litigations with news-worthy implications and is comfortable handling court appearances, engaging in motion practice, and zealous litigating issues on behalf of the State.

The Assistant Attorney General III - IV position will be located in the Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, or San Antonio office and will provide complex legal work for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Work involves investigating and litigating matters related to public health. Ideal candidate will possess knowledge related to the Texas Health & Safety code, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and related preemption doctrines. Additionally, work will involve investigating fraud and deceptive advertising and filing civil lawsuits to enforce state and federal consumer protection and charitable trust laws. We provide a highly collaborative work environment where lawyers help one another while managing their own dockets as first and second chair from the initial stages of a case through resolution.

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. 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 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.

Duties

• Provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to clients and management on factual and legal issues
• Participates in administrative and evidentiary hearings and in the discovery process
• Performs legal research and investigations; reports findings and conclusions
• Performs all phases of civil litigation of consumer protection cases including the drafting of legal documents including but not limited to petitions, motions, pleadings, orders, briefs, discovery and memoranda; prepares cases for trial
• Represents the Office of the Attorney General in civil matters before state or federal district and appellate courts
• Prepares legal documents, including but not limited to briefs, pleadings, and memoranda; prepares cases for trial
• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions and other discovery for filing of consumer protection cases
• Advises management on factual and legal issues
• Assists in drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration
• Provides technical guidance to less tenured staff and may help train others
• Maintains knowledge of legal principles and practices relevant to Consumer Protection
• Testifies at hearings, trials, and legislative meetings
• Maintains a high volume of litigation cases and investigations.
• 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

Salary

• $8,750 - $10,333.34/month

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) III:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Experience: Two years of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney in the following (or closely related) fields: Consumer Protection; Commercial Litigation
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas by start date
• Knowledge of law and legal principles and practices relevant to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act; and relevant Consumer Protection Statutes and/or other relevant Health & Safety Code laws and regulations
• 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
• 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.
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• 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 train others.
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines
• Ability to supervise the work of others.
• 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 5%

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) IV - All the above qualifications for an Assistant Attorney General III, PLUS:

• Experience: One additional year of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney working in the following (or closely related) fields: Consumer Protection; Commercial Litigation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as the First Chair in jury trials involving consumer law.

How to Apply

To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER