OAG - General Litigation | Legal Assistant III | 2

General Description

The General Litigation Division (GLD) of the Office of the Attorney General is seeking a Legal Assistant to perform highly advanced paralegal tasks for several attorneys. The role involves legal research, drafting complex legal documents, coordinating discovery, and assisting attorneys in trial preparation. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits and the opportunity to make a positive difference for Texans.

Essential Position Functions

• Draft, prepare, organize, and review legal documents in complex litigation; coordinate discovery, including drafting, responding to, and calendaring interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, and other information requests in accordance with applicable rules.
• Analyze, draft, and respond to general correspondence and memoranda regarding open records requests, opinion requests, and other documents; assist with drafting cost analyses and bill summaries for proposed legislation; track and analyze relevant legislation.
• Schedule, attend, and assist attorneys for hearings, trials, agency meetings, appellate arguments, depositions, docket calls, administrative hearings, or committee meetings; manage attorneys’ caseloads and organize case files.
• Attend initial interviews and depositions; conduct investigations; prepare chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files; develop and maintain databases for statistical and other information.
• Maintain calendars/dockets, file openings and closings, file pleadings with the court, and coordinate the assembly and preparation of evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and other documents for legal proceedings.
• Summarize depositions and other legal documents; prepare and coordinate service of subpoenas, notices of deposition, and other legal documents to witnesses and parties.
• Research and analyze legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, treatises, land titles, abstracts, and regulations; use computer‑assisted research tools and prepare memoranda on findings.
• Assist in all phases of trial preparation, including setting hearings/depositions/meetings, ordering medical records, coordinating discovery requests with client agencies, and organizing trial notebooks and exhibits; prepare witnesses for trial.
• Communicate with client agencies, court personnel, and outside entities; train and provide technical assistance to less‑tenured legal assistants; assist with conducting training seminars.
• Perform related work as assigned and maintain relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions.
• Attend work regularly in compliance with the agreed‑upon schedule, ensure security and confidentiality of sensitive information, and comply with all agency policies, including ethics and integrity standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis when combined with relevant experience.
• Experience: At least one year of full‑time experience in civil litigation or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of state and federal procedural rules.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Sound judgment and effective decision‑making ability.
• Willingness to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment and provide excellent customer service.
• Requirement to work in person at the assigned OAG location for the entirety of each work week (unless on approved leave).
• Ability to arrange personal transportation for business‑related travel.
• Willingness to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA.
• Physical ability to lift and relocate up to 30 lb.
• Ability to travel (including overnight) up to 5 % of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Completion of a legal‑assistant program (certificate required at interview) may substitute for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in legal studies.
• Experience: Three years of experience in civil litigation.
• Knowledge: In‑depth understanding of legal terminology and principles.
• Skills: Proficiency with database software and electronic filing systems.
• Abilities: Use of applications for producing electronic discovery and conducting legal research.
• Certifications: CLA, CP, or RP professional certification.
• Language: Ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently.

Benefits

OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits, as detailed on the Texas State Benefits website.