OAG - Tort Litigation | Assistant Attorney General I-II | 26-0484

About the role

The Office of the Attorney General (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. 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.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and defends against claims made against state agencies under the Texas Tort Claims Act and the Workers' Compensation Act at all stages of litigation, including pre-litigation claims, administrative hearings, jury trials in district and county courts, and appellate work;
• Assesses and files claims and suits on behalf of state agencies to recover subrogation interests and property damage claims;
• Reviews medical records, researches appellate decisions and related case law, and drafts summary reports and legal memoranda;
• Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance to client state agencies;
• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, written discovery and document review;
• Provides excellent customer service;
• Prepares for and performs routine duties of legal counsel in evaluating claims made against state agencies and works under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Education: Graduated from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas by start date.
• Skill in conducting effective legal research and evaluating legal issues
• Skill in effectively managing a moderately heavy caseload in all stages of development
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication skills [Writing sample required at time of interview]
• 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 35%

Qualifications

• Assistant Attorney General I: One year of full-time legal experience as a licensed attorney
• Assistant Attorney General (AAG) II: All of the above qualifications for an AAG I, PLUS: Experience handling workers' compensation law, experience handling personal injury cases, experience using MS Word, Adobe Acrobat, Excel and LCMS, experience with Shepardizing, Westlaw, Lexis Nexis and other related computerized legal research tools, Knowledge of the Texas Tort Claims Act and practices relevant to the cases handled by the Tort Litigation Division of the Office of the Attorney General

Skills

• Conducting effective legal research and evaluating legal issues
• Managing a moderately heavy caseload in all stages of development
• Using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• Handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Receiving and responding positively to constructive feedback
• Working cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
• Providing excellent customer service
• Arranging for personal transportation for business-related travel
• Traveling (including overnight travel) up to 35%

Benefits

The OAG offers excellent benefits, including:

• Comprehensive health insurance plans
• Paid time off and holidays
• Vacation, sick leave, and personal days
• Retirement savings plan
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Professional development opportunities

Pay

The starting salary range for Assistant Attorney General I is $82,000 - $106,000 per year, and for Assistant Attorney General II is $92,000 - $116,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Work schedules vary based on departmental needs and may include evening and weekend work. Overtime may be required.