Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Law Enforcement Defense Division (LEDD) of the Office of the Attorney General represents the state's law enforcement agencies and their officials & employees in civil proceedings in both federal and state court. LEDD is seeking a legal assistant to perform legal tasks in the Law Enforcement Defense Division. Work involves creating initial drafts of complex legal documents, coordinating complex discovery documents for use in legal proceedings; assisting attorneys in preparation for trial including organizing notebooks, exhibits and witnesses; and managing attorney's caseload.

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

• Legal Assistant III:
• Schedules and prepares pleadings, discovery, motions, briefs, summary judgments, legal correspondence, and other legal documents
• Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, and rules and regulations
• Coordinates the service of subpoenas, service of notices of deposition, and preparation of other legal documents
• Coordinates, assembles, and prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and documents for use in legal proceedings
• Checks citations, quotations, footnotes, and references for accuracy
• Schedules, attends, and assists in preparation for hearings, trials, meetings, interviews, appellate arguments, depositions, and docket calls
• Schedules and prioritizes attorney caseloads; organizes case files; attends initial interviews and depositions; conducts investigations; and prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files
• Reviews and performs redacting of confidential documents for filing with various courts
• Files pleadings with courts
• Assists in responding to public information requests
• Travels throughout the state to conduct site visits, meet clients and witnesses, attend in-person court appearances and mediations, and other in-person litigation activities
• 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 IV: All the above functions for a Legal Assistant III. Plus:
• Performs highly advanced legal assistant work and assists with training.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Legal Assistant III:
• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in law or a related field. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience: One year of full-time experience as a legal assistant working in civil litigation
• Knowledge of relevant law and legal principles and practices
• Knowledge of State and Federal Civil Procedures
• Excellent organization/administrative skills, including a strong, consistent attention to detail and organized work style
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication (Note: Writing sample may be required for selected interviewees.)
• Skill in conducting legal research
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• 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 more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
• 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 lift and relocate 30 lbs.
• Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 10%
• Legal Assistant IV: All the above functions for a Legal Assistant III. Plus:
• Experience: One additional year of full-time experience as a legal assistant working in civil litigation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: Three years full-time experience as a legal assistant in civil litigation
• Education: Graduation from a course of study for paralegals
• Knowledge: Legal terminology and principles
• Skills: Perform legal research using Westlaw, LexisNexis or other research tools
• Certification: CLA, CP or RP

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