OAG - Criminal Prosecutions | Assistant Attorney G

About the role

The Criminal Prosecutions division is seeking an Assistant Attorney General whose work involves advanced legal work. The position includes 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 legal opinions; and drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout Texas, providing exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law.

Essential Position Functions

Assistant Attorney General IV

• Represents the State’s interest in prosecution of criminal cases.
• Prepares cases for trial and represents the State 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 and 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 – performs all functions of an AAG IV, plus:

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

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.; a high‑school diploma or equivalent is also required.
• Experience: Three years of full‑time experience as a licensed attorney handling criminal prosecutions, including Texas criminal appellate experience.
• Knowledge of law and legal principles and practices relevant to the prosecution of criminal cases; licensed and 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 and provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to work in person at the assigned OAG work location for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave).
• Ability to arrange 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 lb.
• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 60 %.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as an appellate attorney in this division, providing assistance to trial prosecutors from the investigatory stage through conviction and handling appellate and post‑conviction proceedings.
• Ability to research, review, or draft motions, responses, and jury charges; appear in trial court to litigate pre‑trial, trial, and post‑trial issues; and manage all aspects of appellate and post‑conviction challenges, including investigation, evidence presentation, briefing, and argument.
• Readiness to be “on‑call” to provide legal support when trial prosecutors are appearing in court.
• Preparedness to provide legal research, advice, and assistance to agency and outside prosecutors, as well as agency and outside law‑enforcement partners.
• Certification: Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas State Board of Legal Specialization.