Assistant Attorney General III | Transportation

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

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Transportation Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office defends the Texas Department of Transportation throughout the State against claims involving personal injuries including premises liability, auto accident, and workers’ compensation. Assistant attorneys general in the Transportation Division that handle tort matters have a spirited docket that includes jury trials, as well as motion and discovery practice. There is an opportunity to handle appeals, including briefing and oral argument.

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 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

• Manages a docket of intermediate and complex level cases
• Evaluates and defends against claims made against the Texas Department of Transportation under the Texas Tort Claims Act and the Workers’ Compensation Act at all stages of litigation, including administrative hearings, pre-trial, jury trials in district and county courts, and appellate work.
• Provides legal advice and assistance to state agencies with regard to the above actions.
• Conducts investigations, performs research, and drafts petitions, motions, pleadings, orders, briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Analyzes factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery.
• Prepares cases for trial; performs all duties of lead counsel; conducts or leads administrative law hearings.
• Performs all necessary appellate work, including research, brief writing and oral argument before State and Federal Appellate Courts.
• 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

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Experience: Two years full-time 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.
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• Skill in effective oral and written communication [writing sample required prior to interview, if selected]
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Skill in conducting effective research
• Interest in handling personal injury and property damage cases
• 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 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.
• Provides excellent customer service
• Uses personal vehicle for business-related travel
• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 30%
• 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)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of the Texas Tort Claims Act
• Experience participating in remote proceedings using Zoom or other teleconference software