Legal Litigation Attorney IV

Department-of-Family-and-Protective-Services; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 86,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services seeks a Legal Litigation Attorney IV in Austin to oversee complex agency litigation. The role includes drafting legal documents, researching state and federal law, and advising agency leadership on litigation strategy.

Requires JD, Texas Bar in good standing, and prior litigation experience. This is a full-time, on-site position with extensive regulatory and trial-related duties.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a JD degree.
• Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
• 5 years of litigation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversees litigation-related activities, evaluates defenses, and develops strategies.
• Drafts litigation summaries, analyses, and recommendations for senior counsel.
• Researches complex legal issues and provides timely legal advice.
• Drafts subpoenas, discovery requests, and related litigation documents.
• Represents the agency in hearings and prepares cases for trial.

Skills

Legal research

Legal analysis

Policy advice

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Accredited law school

Texas Bar admission

Job description

Career Opportunities: Legal Litigation Attorney IV (21906)

Posting ID21906-Posted09/28/2026-Dept of Family & Protectve Svc-General Counsel - Cen Admin-Legal-Not Eligible for Telework-d. $7000 - $8999 per month

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance —at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

Functional Title:Legal Litigation Attorney IV
Job Title:Legal Litigation Attny IV
Agency:Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department:General Counsel - Cen Admin
Posting Number:21906
Closing Date:12/27/2026
Posting Audience:Internal and External
Occupational Category:Legal
Salary Range:$7,716.66-$13,051.00
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group:TEXAS-B-28
Shift:Day
Additional Shift:None
Telework:Not Eligible for Telework
Travel:Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary:Regular
Full Time/Part Time:Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City:AUSTIN
Job Location Address:4900 N LAMAR BLVD
Other Locations:None
MOS Codes: 4402,4405,4406,4407,4408,4409,4410,4411,4417,250X,27A,51JX,92J0,LGL10,LGL11

Brief Job Description:

Performs advanced (senior-level) legal work involving examining and preparing legal documents, interpreting laws and regulations, rendering legal advice and counsel, consulting with trial attorneys, conducting hearings, and preparing cases for agency hearings and/or trials. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Coordinate, formulate, and establish policies and procedures.

• Oversees and coordinates litigation-related legal and administrative activities involving employment claims, tort actions, constitutional claims, contract disputes, and other lawsuits against the agency; evaluates risks, identifies defenses, develops litigation strategies, and formulates recommendations, policies, and procedures to protect the agency's legal interests.
• Drafts litigation summaries, legal analyses, status updates, and recommendations for the DFPS General Counsel and Associate General Counsel concerning new lawsuits, significant case developments, litigation risks, settlement considerations, and potential impacts to agency operations.
• Researches complex legal issues; interprets state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and court decisions; and collaborates with agency leadership, program staff, and attorneys supporting DFPS to provide timely legal advice, establish consistent litigation practices, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Review drafts of bills or amendments for legislative consideration.

• Drafts letters requesting representation from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG); collaborates with Assistant Attorneys General and agency staff to prepare responses to complaints and petitions; researches claims and defenses; and drafts, reviews, and edits motions, briefs, appellate filings, legal memoranda, and other litigation documents.
• Drafts recommendations for agency leadership regarding settlement proposals, appellate actions, litigation strategy, and other legal matters; reviews settlement agreements and court-related documents to ensure agency interests are adequately protected.
• Reviews drafts of bills, laws, policies, and other legal authorities and prepares analyses and recommendations concerning their potential impact on agency operations, litigation exposure, and legal compliance requirements.

Prepare subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses, records, and documents for hearings and civil litigations.

• Reviews discovery requests and coordinates with agency staff to identify, collect, preserve, and organize responsive records, documents, electronically stored information, and other evidence required for litigation matters.
• Drafts, reviews, and edits discovery requests, responses, objections, and related litigation documents; utilizes e-discovery software to review information for production and ensure compliance with applicable procedural requirements.
• Coordinates with the OAG and agency personnel regarding document production, witness information, and discovery strategy, and monitors litigation activities to ensure that defensive and offensive discovery efforts are conducted effectively and within required deadlines.

Enforce agency regulatory provisions and prosecutes violations.

Review drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations.

• Reviews proposed laws, regulations, agency policies, and legal authorities affecting DFPS operations and litigation matters and provides legal analysis regarding compliance obligations, operational impacts, and potential legal risks.
• Drafts recommendations and legal guidance for agency leadership regarding the interpretation and implementation of laws, rules, regulations, and policies impacting agency operations.

Schedule hearings, interrogate witnesses, and prepare decisions on administrative appeals of decisions and rulings.

Draft memoranda on regulatory matters and administrative rules for the Texas Register.

Serve as a liaison with complainants to be represented in an administrative hearing or with their authorized representatives.

Prepare and/or assist in preparing cases for trial and represent the agency in matters before a court as appropriate.

• Assists in preparing cases for trial by coordinating with the Office of the Attorney General, agency staff, and witnesses; reviewing evidence; developing litigation strategies; and supporting case preparation activities.
• Attends hearings and litigation proceedings and works with Assistant Attorneys General to advance and defend the agency's interests in court and administrative proceedings.

Perform research for policy and process questions.

• Conducts legal research and analysis concerning litigation matters, agency policies, operational processes, and procedural requirements to support informed decision-making and risk management.

Advises staff and the public on legal matters and the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.

• Provides legal advice and counsel to agency leadership, management, and program staff regarding litigation matters and the interpretation and application of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and court rulings.
• Advises agency personnel regarding legal risks, litigation developments, discovery obligations, settlement considerations, and compliance with court orders and legal requirements.

Prepares legal opinions, briefs, contracts, proposals, and reports.

• Drafts, reviews, and edits legal briefs, motions, appellate filings, litigation memoranda, settlement recommendations, and other legal documents supporting agency litigation matters.
• Prepares litigation summaries, status reports, legal analyses, and recommendations for the General Counsel and Associate General Counsel concerning pending lawsuits and significant legal developments.

Conducts and/or assists in conducting administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings.

Researches points of law involved in hearings to determine the validity and completeness of cases cited.

• Researches legal claims, defenses, and issues arising in litigation and evaluates relevant statutes, regulations, case law, and legal authorities supporting agency positions.

Investigates alleged law violations and prepares reports of findings.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.

Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; and agency administrative rules and regulations.

Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in the use of a computer and applicable software; in applying reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; and in using judgment to identify courses of action.

Skill in mediation and negotiations.

Ability to conduct hearings, to prepare opinions and briefs, to prepare cases for trial, to conduct research, to summarize findings, to interpret and apply laws, to use legal reference materials, and to communicate effectively.

Ability to supervise others.

Ability to plan and organize work and to advise on hearings.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in legal work. Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.

Preferred Criteria:

• 5 years of experience in litigation preferred.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions . You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at [e-mail] with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.