Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This legal assistant position will work with the Data Privacy and Security Team in the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of the Texas Attorney General's office and will be based in Houston or Austin.

CPD works to protect Texas consumers and the legitimate business community by investigating fraud and deceptive advertising, filing civil lawsuits to enforce state and federal consumer protection laws, and educating Texans on how to spot and avoid possible scams. The Division has regional offices in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso, and Houston

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

• Legal Assistant II:
• Organizes and maintains files for cases under investigation and in litigation - including opening and closing cases.
• Prepares case related reports, administrative reports, summaries and synopsis of case status and relevant matters using excel spreadsheets, as appropriate.
• Drafts, prepares, reviews, edits, and proofreads documents including correspondence, memorandum, reports, and pleadings such as petitions, dispositive and evidentiary motions, briefs, abstracts, and other documents for use in trials, appeals, hearings, and administrative and agency proceedings.
  
  E-files pleadings with court and maintains case calendars and docket notes.
• Coordinates the service of subpoenas, civil investigative demands, petitions, and notices including deposition notices;
• Prepares, coordinates and schedules discovery and discovery responses for use in legal proceedings, including drafting, editing and proofreading interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission and deposition notices, in accordance with state, federal and agency rules, and procedures.
• Assists in responding to requests for discovery including bates labeling, redacting, and coordinating discovery requests with client agencies.
• Assists in all phases of hearing and trial preparation, including setting hearings/depositions/meetings, ordering demonstrative aides, organizing trial notebooks and exhibits, scheduling court reporters, witnesses, and handling exhibits.
• Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions and rules and regulations; prepares memoranda of research findings
• Checks citations quotations, footnotes, and references for accuracy; and prepares tables of authority.
• Schedules, attends, and assists, attorneys in preparing for hearings, depositions, trials, appellate arguments, docket calls, administrative and legislative hearings, and meetings.
• Assists with coordinating, assembling, and preparing evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and other documents for use in legal proceedings.
• Obtains, organizes, and analyzes information, data, and evidence from a variety of sources associated with consumer complaints and investigations.
• Responds to public information requests;
• Assists in document review using electronic document review platforms.
• Assists with the entry of consumer complaints as needed.
• 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.
• Legal Assistant III: All of the above functions for a Legal Assistant II, plus:
• Communicates with consumers, court personnel and representatives of state and federal agencies and organizations engaged in consumer protection enforcement activities
• Legal Assistant IV: All of the above functions for a Legal Assistant III, plus:
• Conducts advanced legal research regarding complex issues and monitors developments in law
• Conducts advanced analysis of data and documents

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Legal Assistant II:
• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
• 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 assistance work
• Knowledge of legal assistance work
• Knowledge of office procedures in a legal setting and familiarity with legal documents
• Skill in understanding and processing information, in the use of office equipment, and in the use of computers 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 apply to become a Texas Notary
• Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
• Ability to conduct research, to draft, prepare, and interpret legal documents; to evaluate and relate findings to cases in questions; to conduct investigations; and to communicate effectively
• Ability to handle stressful situations
• Ability to work collaboratively 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 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 5%
• Legal Assistant III: All of the above functions for a Legal Assistant II, plus:
• Experience: One year of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in a legal environment experience; may substitute a master's degree program from an accredited college or university OR forty credit hours from an accredited law school for the required legal assistance experience
• Legal Assistant IV: All of the above functions for a Legal Assistant III, plus:
• Experience: One additional year full-time experience in the following (or closely related) fields: legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in a legal environment experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from a course of study for legal assistants [Copy of certificate required at time of interview]; may substitute Bachelor's degree in legal studies for required certificate
• Experience: using electronic document review platforms including Relativity and/or Everlaw and proficient in use of Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and Word
• Knowledge: legal terminology and principles
• Skills: Familiar with Summation, Trial Director, E-Courtroom, and eFiling procedures in state, federal, and appellate court systems
• Abilities: to perform advanced legal research
• Certifications: Legal Assistant certification
• Other Language: Ability to proficiently read, write, and speak Spanish fluently

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