Senior IV-D Litigator & AAG - Child Support Impact

State of Texas; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Texas Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division, seeks a Senior Special Litigator to handle highly complex cases representing the state's interests in both court and administrative proceedings.

The role involves providing legal advice, preparing pleadings and trial briefs, and assisting field offices with complex cases. You will participate in statewide training and conferences while upholding ethics and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Four years of full-time legal experience as a licensed attorney, two of which must be in Family Law.
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Knowledge of Family Law and the Texas Family Code.
• Skilled in legal writing, mediation, and negotiation.
• Skilled in serving as a trial lawyer, investigations, and legal research.

Responsibilities

• Represent the State of Texas at legal proceedings to locate, establish, enforce, modify, or terminate court orders for child support and medical support.
• Provide legal advice, consultation and technical assistance to the Child Support Program including researching and analyzing issues; prepare pleadings and memoranda.
• Handle civil litigation (probate, tax, foreclosure) and personal injury claims as needed.
• Review and approve employer enforcement submissions and hearings.
• Review and approve administrative license suspension cases and related hearings.
• Review criminal non-support submissions; liaison with District Attorney; assist in statewide conferences.
• Develop and deliver training for Child Support staff on Special Litigation functions.
• Attend required work and maintain confidentiality per agency policies.

Skills

Legal writing

Mediation

Negotiation

Trial lawyer

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Judgment and decision making

Customer service

Public service

In-person work

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

Job description

Are you interested in mission-driven legal work? Do you enjoy helping others? Join the Office of the Attorney General¿s (OAG) Child Support Division (CSD) in our mission to encourage responsible parenting by promoting the involvement of both parents in their children¿s lives and ensuring that children in Texas receive the support they need and deserve. The Special Litigator performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work. Work involves representing the state¿s interest in judicial and administrative matters, and providing legal advice, consultation and technical assistance to the Child Support Program and staff. CSD AAGs are part of a collegial statewide team dedicated to supporting Texas children and families. AAGs experience the challenge and honor of public service while enjoying a healthy work-life balance, developing hands-on legal experience, and engaging in camaraderie with their colleagues across 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. Represent the State of Texas at legal proceedings to locate, establish, enforce, modify, or terminate court orders for child support and medical support. Provides legal advice, consultation and technical assistance to the Child Support Program including researching and analyzing factual and legal issues; preparing and responding to discovery requests and pleadings; preparing trial briefs and memoranda on complex cases and issues; and assisting field office staff in handling complex cases in court, when available. Handles civil litigation of cases, such as probate, tax and foreclosure suits, as well as personal injury claims Reviews and approves employer enforcement submission from field offices; assists with case preparation and the legal pleadings production; and represents the Office of the Attorney General / CSD at employer enforcement hearings, when necessary Reviews and approves administrative license suspension cases for filing, and represents the Office of the Attorney General / CSD in license suspension hearings Reviews criminal non-support submissions and acts as the District Attorney liaison, up to and including prosecution Assists in the planning of the annual Statewide Assistant Attorneys¿ General Conference Works on special projects and participates in various workgroups / conference / meetings as assigned by the Deputy Division Chief, Field Legal Practice, including speaking and delivering presentations on IV-D legal or practice issues Develops and delivers training for Child Support staff pertinent to Special Litigation functions 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

Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree Experience: Four years of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: Full-time legal experience as a licensed attorney, two of which must have been in Family Law 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 Knowledge of Family Law and the Texas Family Code Skill in legal writing, mediation, and negotiation Skill in serving as a trial lawyer, preparing sound opinions, conducting investigations, and performing legal research Skill in using a personal 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, 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 25% Texas Child Support Program Probate law Jury Trial Experience in handling a high-volume legal practice Other Language: Ability to proficiently read, write, and speak Spanish