Assistant Attorney General III | General Litigation (Civil/Employment)

Texas Attorney General; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Attorney General's General Litigation Division seeks attorneys to defend state agencies and officials in civil rights, employment, and constitutional matters across state and federal courts. Join a dynamic team handling complex litigation, class actions, and public policy cases that affect Texans daily.

Emphasis on public service, ethical integrity, and collaboration in Austin, Houston, or Dallas. As an AAG, you will perform legal research, prepare pleadings and briefs, advise state

Qualifications

• Proven ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills.
• Experience handling multiple tasks and deadlines in a legal setting.
• Ability to work with diverse teams and to provide customer-focused service.
• Ability to work in-person at assigned OAG location and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Represents state agencies and officials in defense of lawsuits and related proceedings in state and federal courts.
• Protects Texas’s sovereign and legal rights in various proceedings.
• Conducts investigations, performs legal research, and prepares complex motions and briefs.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Judgment

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bachelor's degree

High school diploma

Job description

****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. GLD provides a dynamic, varied docket with ample opportunity for attorneys to develop the full spectrum of litigation skills. AAGs also assist 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, Houston, or Dallas.

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
• 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
• Prepares and tries cases in state and federal courts in defense of state agencies and state employees
• 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

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

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.)
• Experience: Two years of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: Civil Litigation
• Licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas and 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 5%

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: One additional year as a licensed attorney