GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Transportation Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office represents the Texas Department of Transportation in lawsuits involving eminent domain, torts, worker’s compensation, employment discrimination, contracts, and regulatory enforcement. All attorneys in the Transportation Division have a robust litigation docket that includes motion and discovery practice, jury trials, and in some cases, matters before the appellate courts. Attorney General 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 POSITION FUNCTIONS

Legal Assistant I:

• Participates in managing attorneys’ caseloads, including scheduling, prioritizing, organizing files and preparing chronologies and summaries.
• Drafts, prepares, reviews and edits pleadings, motions, briefs, petitions, summary judgments and other legal documents for use in trials, appeals, hearings, injunctions and other agency procedures
• Participates in coordinating complex discovery, including the drafting, responding and calendaring of interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, and other requests for information in accordance with local, state, federal and agency rules and procedures
• Assists in all phases of trial preparation, including setting/attending hearings, depositions, meetings, ordering records, preparing and coordinating service of subpoenas, organizing trial notebooks and exhibits and preparing witnesses for trial
• Maintains a working knowledge of litigation technology including trial presentation software and e-discovery
• Develops and maintains databases for statistical and other information
• Communicates with agency personnel, client agencies, court personnel and outside vendors
• Attends work regularly in accordance with Agency leave policy
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to applicable security and safety rules, regulations and standards

Legal Assistant II – All of the above functions for a LA I, plus:

• Summarizes laws, rules, and regulations
• Reviews and performs redacting of confidential documents for filing with various 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
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Legal Assistant I:

• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Experience: Three years full-time legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in a legal environment; may substitute ninety credit hours from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis
• Knowledge of general office practices
• Excellent writing skills
• Skill in using computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• Strong organizational skills

Legal Assistant II – All of the above functions for a LA I, plus:

• Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university. May substitute thirty additional credit hours from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Ability to work 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Ability to work overtime as needed
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to use personal vehicle for business-related travel

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Legal Assistant I:

• Graduation from a course of study for legal assistants
• One-year of full-time legal assistant experience in a civil litigation environment
• Working knowledge of the practice of law resulting in the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Working knowledge of E-Filing in Texas state courts
• Experience conducting computerized legal research
• Experience using Word Perfect, MS Word, Excel, Summation and Visionary software
• Experience using database software
• In-depth knowledge of legal terminology and principles

Legal Assistant II, all of the above qualifications for a LA I, plus:

• Two years of full-time legal assistance experience in a civil litigation environment

TO APPLY
To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through either CAPPS Recruit or Work in Texas. 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