General Description

Come join an exciting and vital team helping provide the roads, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure for the fastest-growing state: Texas! As Texas grows so does its need for transportation infrastructure. To assist the Texas Department of Transportation in implementing its transportation projects, the Transportation Division of the Attorney General’s Office is adding numerous new attorney positions. You can be a part of the State’s tremendous growth. The Transportation Division represents TxDOT in acquiring needed property through eminent domain, and in lawsuits spanning numerous subject areas including torts, worker’s compensation, employment discrimination, contracts, and regulatory enforcement in both state and federal courts. The Transportation Division has a robust litigation docket that includes administrative hearings, motion and discovery practice, jury trials, and appeals.

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 making a positive difference in the lives of Texans. OAG employees experience the challenge and honor of public service while enjoying a healthy work-life balance and gaining hands-on legal experience.

Essential Position Functions

Assistant Attorney General I:

Manages a docket of beginning and intermediate level cases
Prepares and handles lawsuits involving, but not limited to eminent domain, tort claims, workers’ compensation, employment discrimination, contract claims, etc., in both State and Federal Court
Provides legal advice and assistance to state agencies with regard to the above actions
Conducts investigations, performs research, and drafts petitions, motions, pleadings, orders, briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents
Analyzes factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery
Prepares cases for trial; performs all duties of lead counsel; conducts or leads administrative law hearings
Performs all necessary appellate work, including research, brief writing and oral argument before State and Federal Appellate Courts
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

Assistant Attorney General II – All of the above functions for an Assistant Attorney General I, PLUS:

Manages a docket of intermediate level cases

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) III: – All of the above functions for an Assistant Attorney General II, PLUS:

Manages a docket of intermediate to advanced level cases.

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) IV – All of the above functions for an AAG III, PLUS:

Manages a docket of advanced, complex level cases

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General I

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.)
Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
Skill in effective oral and written communication [writing sample required prior to interview, if selected]
Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
Skill in conducting effective research
Interest in handling eminent domain cases
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 travel (including overnight travel) up to 30%
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.

Assistant Attorney General II – All of the above qualifications for an AAAG I, PLUS:

Experience: One year full-time experience as a licensed attorney

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) III– All of the above qualifications for an AAG II, PLUS:

Experience: One additional year full-time experience as a licensed attorney

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) IV – All of the above qualifications for an AAG III, PLUS:

Experience: One additional year full-time experience as a licensed attorney

Preferred Qualifications

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) I-III:

Experience in civil litigation
Knowledge of real estate valuation and appraisal
Knowledge of land use planning
Experience participating in remote proceedings using Zoom or other teleconference software

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) IV All of the above qualifications for an AAG I-III, PLUS:

Experience mentoring less tenured staff
Experience in supervising the work of other attorneys
Jury trial experience

TO APPLY

To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER