Criminal Prosecutions - Appellate Specialist | Assistant Attorney General IV - V

Texas Attorney General; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Attorney General in Austin seeks an Assistant Attorney General IV to represent the State in criminal prosecutions, prepare trial documents, and provide legal advice across investigative, trial, and appellate stages.

The role requires handling complex criminal issues, performing research, and supporting trial prosecutors. Travel up to 60% and a Texas law license in good standing are essential.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Licensed attorney in Texas in good standing
• Three years of full-time experience handling criminal prosecutions or Texas criminal appellate experience
• Knowledge of law and legal principles relevant to criminal prosecutions
• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 60%

Responsibilities

• Represents the State's interest in prosecution of criminal cases; prepares for trial and drafts legal documents.
• Handles all phases of criminal prosecution from investigation through trial and appellate process.
• Performs legal research and analyzes complex issues; presents evidence and arguments.
• Provides training to less experienced staff and on-call legal support to trial prosecutors.
• Maintains knowledge to perform essential job functions and complies with agency policies.

Skills

Oral & written communication

Multitasking

Legal research

Litigation strategy

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Criminal Prosecutions division is seeking an Assistant Attorney General whose work involves advanced legal work. Work involves directing, planning, coordinating and monitoring legal activities; providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance; representing the State's interest in criminal matters; reviewing, evaluating, and rendering of legal opinions; and drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration.

Appellate attorneys in this division are expected to provide assistance to trial prosecutors from the investigatory stage of a prosecution and through conviction, and then handle any appellate and postconviction proceedings arising thereafter. This requires, on a case-by-case basis, researching, reviewing, or drafting motions, responses, and jury charges, appearing in trial court to litigate pretrial, trial, and posttrial issues, and handling all aspects of appellate and postconviction challenges in trial and appellate courts, including investigation, evidence presentation, briefing, and argument. Additionally, appellate attorneys are expected to be "on-call" to provide legal support when trial prosecutors are appearing in court (will not be preparing and presenting for trial). Appellate attorneys must be further prepared to provide legal research, advice, and assistance to agency and outside prosecutors, and agency and outside law enforcement partners

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

Assistant Attorney General IV

• Represents the State's interest in prosecution of criminal cases. Prepares cases for trial; represents the State's interest in criminal prosecution; prepares or supervises the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, pleadings, motions, petitions and other legal documents; Testifies at hearings, trials, and legislative meetings.
• Handles all phases of criminal prosecution from investigation through trial and appellate process; provides assistance to local prosecutors or law enforcement entities; analyzes complex factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions and other discovery
• Performs legal research and reports findings and conclusions; handles complex and sensitive grand jury investigations and presentations; trains or assists in training less experienced staff
• 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

Assistant Attorney General V - All of the above functions for an AAG IV, PLUS:

• Drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration
• May supervise the work of others

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General IV:

• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• 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:
• Experience: Three years of full‑time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: licensed attorney handling criminal prosecutions, Texas criminal appellate experience
• Knowledge of law and legal principles and practices relevant to the prosecution of criminal cases
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
• 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 60%

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) V:

• All of the above qualifications for an AAG IV, PLUS:
• One additional year full‑time experience as a licensed attorney in prosecution of criminal cases