Description:

The Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General, an agency of the State of Texas, seeks a licensed attorney for a highly competitive position based in Dallas, El Paso or Houston. This Assistant Attorney General I-II position's work involves representing the State's interest in deceptive trade practices and other civil matters; reviewing, evaluating, and rendering legal opinions; preparing cases for trial and assisting in drafting bills for legislative consideration.

The Consumer Protection Division 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. We provide a highly collaborative work environment where lawyers help one another while managing their own dockets as first and second chair from the initial stages of a case through resolution. The OAG seeks qualified, self-motivated candidates to manage cases from start to finish, including drafting civil investigative demands, motions and pleadings, discovery, and settlements; handling witness interviews; appearing at hearings, and more.

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

Conducts consumer protection investigations by obtaining evidence through witness interviews, consumer complaints, undercover operations, conducting examinations under oath, issuing civil investigative demands, and reviewing documents.
Manages a docket of beginning and intermediate level cases.
Litigates civil enforcement cases from start to finish, including discovery and document review, taking and defending depositions, motion practice, arguing contested matters, and trial.
Researches and analyzes complex factual and legal matters related to specific cases or issues.
Provides legal advice, analysis, counsel, and assistance to team members and management; and prepares related memorandum of findings, legal opinions, or recommendations as appropriate.
Works collaboratively with team members to develop and implement effective litigation and enforcement strategies.
Represents the Office of the Attorney General before state and federal trial and appellate courts.
Evaluates proposed and enacted federal and state statutes, rules, and court decisions to advance Texas's interests in enforcement of data privacy and consumer protection laws.
Participates in rulemaking, including drafting proposed comments.
Assists in responding to Texas Public Information Act requests.
Assists in responding to legislative inquiries, including drafting proposed legislation and amendments for legislative consideration, and serving as a resource witness in matters related to consumer protection and data privacy.
Maintains knowledge of legal principles and practices relevant to consumer protection.
Provides training to less experienced staff.
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

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Assistant Attorney General (AAG) I:

Education: Graduation from accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.)
Licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
Knowledge of law and legal principles and practices relevant to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and relevant consumer protection statutes, including state and federal privacy laws
Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in conducting investigations; in mediation and negotiations; in using reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; in using judgment to identify courses of action; and in using a computer and applicable software
Skill in working under pressure and cooperatively with other attorneys, supervisors, investigators, and support staff
Skill in effective oral and written communication
Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
Ability to prepare legal documents, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize findings, to prepare cases and present at trial, to conduct hearings and to communicate effectively
Ability to handle stressful situations
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 work space 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%

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) II - All the above functions for an Assistant Attorney General I, Plus:

Experience: One year of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: Consumer Protection; Commercial Litigation, Constitutional Litigation.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: Focus on consumer protection and/or commercial litigation subjects.
Experience: using electronic document review platforms including Relativity and programs such as Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and Word
Experience: Trial experience in litigation involving the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other consumer protection laws
Knowledge: of Deceptive Trade Practices Act and a wide variety of related statutes
Abilities: To work collaboratively and to work within a larger organization.