OAG - Tort Litigation | Assistant Attorney General III-IV | 26-0243

The Office of the Attorney General (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. 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. The Tort Litigation Division specializes in defending state agencies and employees throughout the state against claims involving personal injuries, including medical malpractice, premises liability, auto accidents and workers’ compensation. We provide a highly collaborative work environment where lawyers help one another while managing their own dockets as first chair from the initial stages of a case through any appeal. The OAG seeks qualified, self-motivated candidates to manage cases from inception to conclusion, including drafting motions and discovery, appearing at hearings, trying cases, negotiating settlements, and handling appeals, as well as assisting other AAGs.

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.

Duties

• Evaluates and defends against claims made against state agencies under the Texas Tort Claims Act and the Workers’ Compensation Act at all stages of litigation, including pre-litigation claims, administrative hearings, jury trials in district and county courts, and appellate work; assesses and files claims and suits on behalf of state agencies to recover subrogation interests and property damage claims
• Reviews medical records, researches appellate decisions and related case law, and drafts summary reports, and legal memorandum
• Provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to client state agencies
• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, written discovery and document review
• Conducts jury trials
• Drafts appellate briefs
• Mentor and review work by less tenured staff
• Prepares for and performs moderately complex duties of legal counsel in evaluating pre-litigation claims made against state agencies
• Oversee the performance of legal research and the reporting of findings and conclusions
• Performs related work as assigned
• Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
• Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule. Telework schedules are permitted for employees based on the agency’s approved Telework Plan, if schedule does not adversely affect operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained.
• 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 IV - All the above functions for an AAG III, PLUS:

• Prepares for and performs complex duties of lead counsel in evaluating claims made against state agencies

Salary

• $9,750 - $10,666.67/month

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAssistant Attorney General III:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Experience: Two years of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
• Must be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas by start date.
• Skill in conducting effective legal research and evaluating legal issues
• Skill in effectively managing a moderately heavy caseload in all stages of development
• 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 as necessary, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location when necessary, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week as necessary (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 35%

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

• Experience: One additional year of full-time legal experience as a licensed attorney

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• First Chair jury trial experience
• Experience handling personal injury cases
• Experience using MS Word, Adobe Acrobat X Pro, Excel and LCMS
• Experience with Shepardizing, Westlaw, Lexis Nexis and other related computerized legal research tools
• Knowledge of the Texas Tort Claims Act and practices relevant to the cases handled by the Tort Litigation Division of the Office of the Attorney General
• Knowledge of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act

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