Tort Litigation | Assistant Attorney General III

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

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Tort Litigation Division specializes in defending state agencies and employees throughout the state against claims involving personal injuries, including medical malpractice, premises liability, auto accidents and workers’ compensation. We provide a highly collaborative work environment where lawyers help one another while managing their own dockets as first chair from the initial stages of a case through any appeal. The OAG seeks qualified, self-motivated candidates to manage cases from inception to conclusion, including drafting motions and discovery, appearing at hearings, trying cases, negotiating settlements, and handling appeals, as well as assisting other AAGs.

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

• 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 memorandum
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Conducts jury trials
• Prepares legal documents, including but not limited to briefs, pleadings, and memoranda
• Performs legal research and investigations, and reports findings and conclusions
• Participates in administrative and evidentiary hearings and in the discovery process
• Analyzes factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery
• May mentor and review work by less tenured staff
• 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

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduated from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Experience: Two years of full-time legal experience as a licensed attorney
• 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.
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; and of state and federal laws, regulations, and rules
• 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]
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in conducting investigations; in mediation and negotiations; in using reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; in using judgment to identify courses of action; and in the use of a computer and applicable software
• Ability to prepare legal documents, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize findings, to prepare cases and present at trial, to conduct hearings, and to communicate effectively
• 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 50%

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• First Chair jury trial experience
• 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