OAG - Criminal Appeals | Assistant Attorney General I-II | 27-0127

State of Texas; Texas; On-site; USD 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Texas, Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Appeals Division seeks an Assistant Attorney General to perform entry‑level to journey‑level appellate work in Austin. Responsibilities include planning and monitoring legal activities, advising the State, and drafting legislative proposals while representing Texas in civil and criminal matters.

Ideal candidates hold a JD, are licensed to practice in Texas, and have knowledge of federal habeas practices.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate.
• Licensed to practice by the Texas State Bar in good standing by start date.
• Knowledge of Federal habeas practices and procedures.
• Ability to work in person at the OAG location and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and monitor legal activities for appellate matters.
• Provide legal advice, counsel, and assistance to represent the State's interests.
• Review, evaluate, and render legal opinions; draft bills for legislative consideration.
• Work up to and including overtime, occasional travel, and collaboration with colleagues.

Skills

Oral & written communication

Prioritization & deadlines

Customer service mindset

Team collaboration

Professional discretion

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Licensed to practice by the Texas State Bar

Job description

The Criminal Appeals Division is seeking an Assistant Attorney General whose work involves entry‑level to moderately complex (journey-level) legal work for the Office of the Attorney General's Criminal Appeals Division. Work involves planning, coordinating, and monitoring legal activities; providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance; representing the State's interest in civil and criminal matters; reviewing, evaluating, and rendering legal opinions; and drafting bills for legislative consideration. 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

Assistant Attorney General I: Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate Licensed to practice by the Texas State Bar. Member in good standing with the Texas State Bar by the start date Knowledge of Federal habeas practices and procedures. 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 15% Assistant Attorney General II: All the above qualifications for an Assistant Attorney General I, PLUS: Experience: One-year full‑time experience as an appellate lawyer Experience: First or second chair experience handling complex federal habeas evidentiary hearings or state or federal trial experience. Willingness to work on non‑capital and capital cases. Experience and or demonstrated willingness to mentor/train less experienced attorneys. Certifications: Member in good standing with Texas State Bar and United States Supreme Court