Office of the Attorney General

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Performs routine to complex legal assistant work in support of three to four attorneys in the Law Enforcement Defense Division. Work involves researching and analyzing legal sources, coordinating discovery documents for use in legal proceedings, assisting attorneys in preparation for trial including organizing notebooks, exhibits and witnesses, and generally managing attorneys’ caseloads. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Legal Assistant I: 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 II: All of the above functions for a Legal Assistant I, PLUS: Ability to proficiently prepare and review documents independently Knowledge of civil practice procedures and/or appellate procedures MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Legal Assistant I: Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent Education: Associate degree from an accredited college with major coursework in law or a paralegal certification Experience: One year full-time experience as a legal assistant in civil litigation; may substitute ninety credit hours from an accredited college or university with major coursework in law or a related field on a year-for-year basis Knowledge of State and Federal Civil Procedures 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 Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval, including various applications as such Word, Westlaw, spreadsheets and database software 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 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 10% Legal Assistant II - All of the above Minimum Qualifications for a Legal Assistant I, plus: One additional 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 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 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, submit a completed State of Texas job application through the OAG’s Job Postings Page. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. For further instructions on how to apply through the OAG’s Job Postings Page, see our How to Apply page. 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 http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf.