Assistant Attorney General V - VI | Opinions; Special Counsel

Assistant Attorney General V - VI | Opinions (Special Counsel)

PLEASE NOTE THIS APPLICATION IS EXPRESSING INTEREST IN THIS ROLE AND NOT A FORMAL APPLICATION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Opinion Committee Division is seeking an Assistant Attorney General whose work will involve advanced senior counsel work by assisting the Opinion Committee Division Chief with operational and strategic initiatives. Work involves directing, planning, organizing and monitoring legal activities.

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 ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) 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

• Assists Division Chief in supervising the development of legal opinions and rulings, memoranda, correspondence, and publications. Assists Division Chief in review of opinion request letters, assigning opinions to drafters and scheduling internal deadlines, as well as attorney development.
• Manages open government initiatives, including coordinating Open Meetings Act hotlines and training submission review; assists in coordinating participation in the Open Government Conference.
• Drafts complex formal legal opinions and rulings, memoranda, correspondence and publications.
• Researches and analyzes and/or supervises the research and analysis of legislation and statutes, including reporting findings and conclusions to Division Chief and Executive Management.
• Reviews opinions and submits comments to drafter.
• Participates in public speaking at conferences.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to applicable security and safety rules, regulations and standards.
• Performs related work as assigned.
• Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions.
• Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information.
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) V:

• Education:
  
  Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Experience:
  
  Four years of full‑time experience working as a licensed attorney & appellate clerkship.
• 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.
• 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 performing complex legal research.
• Skill in using a computer for word‑processing and data entry/retrieval.
• 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 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…