Job Description

Overview

The Tort Litigation Division defends state agencies and employees against claims involving personal injuries, including medical malpractice, premises liability, auto accidents and workers compensation. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) offers a highly collaborative environment where lawyers manage their own dockets as first chair from inception through any appeal, drafting motions and discovery, appearing at hearings, trying cases, negotiating settlements, and handling appeals, while assisting other AAGs.

The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees. As the States law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. OAG employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities to contribute to meaningful public service in Austin, Texas.

Essential position functions

• Evaluates and defends against claims made against state agencies under the Texas Tort Claims Act and the Workers Compensation Act at all stages of litigation, including pre-litigation claims, administrative hearings, jury trials in district and county courts, and appellate work; assesses and files claims and suits on behalf of state agencies to recover subrogation interests and property damage claims
• Reviews medical records, researches appellate decisions and related case law, and drafts summary reports and legal memoranda
• Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance to client state agencies
• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, written discovery and document review
• Prepares for and performs routine duties of legal counsel in evaluating claims made against state agencies and works under moderate supervision with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment
• Conducts jury trials
• Prepares legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, and memoranda
• Performs legal research and investigations, and reports findings and conclusions
• Participates in administrative and evidentiary hearings and in the discovery process
• Analyzes factual and legal issues and develops evidence through interviews, depositions, and other discovery
• May mentor and review work by less tenured staff
• Maintains knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
• Attends work regularly in accordance with the schedule
• Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive information
• Complies with agency policies and procedures, including ethics and integrity

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: J.D. from an accredited law school
• Experience: Two years of full-time legal 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
• Knowledge of legal principles, rules, and procedures; familiarity with state and federal laws and regulations
• Skill in conducting effective legal research and evaluating legal issues
• Ability to manage a moderately heavy caseload across all stages
• Proficiency with word processing and data entry/retrieval
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines
• Effective oral and written communication skills (writing sample required at time of interview)
• Sound judgment and decision-making abilities
• Ability to prepare legal documents, conduct research, interpret laws, summarize findings, and present at trial
• Ability to work in person at the assigned OAG work location and collaborate with coworkers
• Ability to travel for business (including overnight travel)
• Ability to lift and relocate up to 30 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• First Chair jury trial experience
• Experience handling workers compensation law
• Experience handling personal injury cases
• Experience using MS Word, Adobe Acrobat, Excel and LCMS
• Experience with Shepardizing, Westlaw, LexisNexis and other legal research tools
• Knowledge of the Texas Tort Claims Act and related practices

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Legal

Industries

• Law Practice

Job Tags

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