OAG - Opinions | Assistant Attorney General III-IV | 26-0590

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Office of the Attorney General’s Opinion Committee researches and drafts formal legal opinions publicly issued by the Attorney General in discharge of his constitutional and statutory duty to provide legal guidance to the Legislature, state agencies, certain government officials, and other authorized requestors. The Opinion Committee engages in a wide array of challenging and novel legal issues and works closely with the Attorney General and his executive team to ensure that formal legal opinions are of the highest quality and provide all Texans with sound legal advice. Although the Attorney General’s formal legal opinions are non-binding, they are considered persuasive authority in Texas and are routinely relied on by courts, state agencies, and local governments. Attorneys in the Opinion Committee work in a highly collaborative environment in which work product is improved through a peer-review process and evaluated by the entire Committee. This is a unique opportunity for an attorney with strong research and writing skills and is ideally suited for applicants with clerkship experience, experience as a staff attorney in the judicial branch of government, or with appellate or local-government experience.

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. 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.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Performs complex research in all areas of law; drafts, edits, and reviews complex formal opinions, rulings, memoranda, correspondence, and publications.
• Reviews opinions and provides edits and comments to drafter; participates in opinion discussions with division, agency reviewers, and Executive Management.
• Researches and analyzes legislation and statutes and reports findings and conclusions to Division Chief and Executive Management; serves as a resource to legislators as requested by Division Chief. Reviews, analyzes, and tracks bills during legislative session.
• Assists in open government training, including preparing materials for and presenting at agency and outside conferences on the Open Meetings Act, reviewing third-party Open Meetings Act training materials, and assisting with preparation of the Open Meetings Act handbook.
• 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant Attorney General III:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Experience: Two years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney
• 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 federal and state laws affecting state agencies and local governments
• Outstanding legal research and writing skills
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication [Writing sample required at time of interview, if selected]
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• Ability to proffer constructive criticism and to accept same and incorporate into written work product
• Ability to identify relevant legal issues and render clear and accurate legal advice
• Ability to analyze legislation/statutes
• Ability to write under pressure and to respond to deadlines
• Ability to verbally communicate legal arguments
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
• Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• 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 5%

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

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Judicial clerkship or staff-attorney experience in a federal or state appellate court
• Experience in public speaking
• Litigation 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