Job Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is seeking an experienced legal assistant to join its Special Litigation Division (SLD). Created in 2015, SLD handles and coordinates high-profile, high-impact litigation for the State of Texas. Its primary focus is affirmative litigation to enforce the limits of government authority. SLD litigates complex cases on a variety of subjects, from pre-filing research to appeal, in both state and federal court. SLD personnel collaborate frequently with other OAG divisions and advise, counsel, and assist client state agencies and OAG's executive leadership. Working as a legal assistant in SLD requires advanced skill, discipline, and motivation to perform complex tasks that are often time sensitive. This position is ideal for a legal assistant who takes the initiative to anticipate and determine case-specific needs-in case management; calendaring; document preparation; trial preparation; planning, researching, and organizing discovery; and monitoring relevant cases-in complex and high-profile litigation matters.
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.
ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Maintains calendars for all aspects of complex litigation matters; calculates and tracks deadlines related to motions practice, briefing schedules, discovery, depositions, hearings, interviews, meetings, and trial
• Drafts, prepares, reviews, and edits pleadings such as petitions, dispositive and evidentiary motions, briefs, abstracts, legislative histories, petitions, summary judgments and other legal documents for use in trials, appeals, hearings, administrative hearings, and other administrative and agency proceedings; also draft, maintain, and organize necessary administrative reports
• Oversees and coordinates, assembles, and prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and documents for use in legal proceedings
• Assists with coordinating, assembling, and preparing evidence, exhibits, affidavits and other documents for use in legal proceedings as well as assist attorneys and support staff with case management; organizing case files; preparing chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files, and attending initial interviews and depositions
• Files pleadings with court and reviews mail and maintains calendar and docket, files, case openings and closings
• Oversees and schedules and prioritizes attorney caseloads; organizes case files; attends initial interviews and depositions; conducts investigations; and prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files
• Oversees and researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, treaties, property titles, and rules and regulations.
• Cite-checks and formats briefs and pleadings; checks citations, quotations, footnotes, and references for accuracy in accordance with citation standards; prepares tables of contents and tables of authorities
• Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, and rules and regulations; prepares memoranda on research findings
• Prepares synopses, abstracts, or summaries of complex legal issues; conducts statistical, documentary, and investigatory research
• Prepares attorneys for meetings with clients, witnesses, and expert witnesses
• Drafts and responds to correspondence and opinion requests involving legal interpretations and decisions
• Coordinates the service of summonses, citations, subpoenas, notices of deposition, and other legal documents
• Assists in all phases of trial preparation, including setting hearings, depositions, and meetings; ordering demonstrative aids; organizing trial notebooks and exhibits; scheduling witnesses for trial; and handling exhibits during the trial, including operating or assisting operators of courtroom technology
• 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
• Drafts cost analyses and bill summaries for proposed legislation, and tracks and analyzes relevant legislation
• Assists in coordinating and responding to public information requests
• May train less tenured staff

Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis: legal assistant
• Experience: Three years of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: legal assistant
• Knowledge of legal terminology; of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; of research methods and techniques; of administrative and court procedures; of the legislative process; and of public-notice requirements
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Acrobat
• Skill in understanding and processing information; in the use of office equipment; and in the use of a computer and applicable software
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Ability to conduct research; to draft, prepare, and interpret legal documents; to evaluate and relate findings to cases in question; to conduct investigations; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others
• 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 workspace within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless approved otherwise)
• 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 5%

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification: Legal Assistant certification (may substitute associate's or bachelor's degree in law or a related field)
• Experience: Ten years of full-time experience working as a legal assistant (or closely related position)
• Experience using electronic document review platforms including Relativity
• Skills: Familiar with Summation, Trial Director, E-Courtroom, and eFiling procedures in state, federal, and appellate court systems
• Ability to perform legal research using Westlaw, Lexis, legislative materials, online court databases, and other resources
• Knowledge of the Office of the Attorney General structure and processes

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