GLO – General Counsel III

Overview

The Texas General Land Office is seeking a General Counsel III (Director; Oil, Gas & Energy) within the Office of General Counsel Department of the agency.

Performs advanced and managerial (senior-level) legal work. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Work involves directing and planning legal activities for the agency; consulting with agency management to address the legal needs of internal business operations; participating in the agency’s strategic planning process; formulating, coordinating and establishing agency policies and procedures; coordinating efforts in pursuit of the goals, objectives, and mission of the agency;

and testifying at hearings (including legislative hearings) and trials.

The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

• Directs and oversees the coordination of staffing, workload, client relations and resource needs for the Oil, Gas and Energy section of OGC.
• Advises client divisions, and sometimes the public, on legal matters and interpretation of laws affecting the client, particularly in the areas of royalty underpayment, pooling/unitization issues, mineral ownership, and leasing issues for both oil and gas and hard mineral development.
• Participates in the representation of the agency by outside counsel or the Attorney General’s Office in civil actions brought by or against the agency.
• Advises client divisions, and sometimes the public, on legal matters and interpretation of laws affecting the sale of natural gas to public retail customers under the State Energy Marketing Program.
• Serves as a direct liaison with private industry and organizations, other government agencies, universities, and various other entities with which the agency interacts.

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas. Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
• Minimum of five (5) years of legal experience as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas with an emphasis on oil and gas, energy resources or other related area(s) of law, at least three (3) of which were for a government entity or corporate organization.

• Seven (7) or more years of legal experience as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas with an emphasis on oil and gas, energy resources or other related area(s) of law.
• Experience managing a team of multiple attorneys.
• Experience drafting and interpreting mineral leasing provisions.
• Experience with agency rule making and the APA.
• Experience with land sales and real estate law.
• Litigation and/or testifying/public speaking experience.
• Experience working with the Texas Public Information Act.

This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the worksite) is routinely required to carry out some duties. This position requires extensive computer, telephone and client/ customer contact and communication. It requires the ability to move and position oneself as needed for filing and similar routine office duties. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies.

It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Ability to read printed materials and computer screens. The individual must be able to move and transport records, documents, boxes, and all related information and materials, weighing up to 20 pounds when required.

• Free Parking
• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the…