Job Description 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Criminal Appeals Division of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is seeking a Legal Assistant that provides complex legal assistant work. Work involves coordinating legal activities; researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents; and assisting attorneys with case management. 

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.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Assist with coordinating, assembling, and preparing evidence, exhibits, affidavits and other documents for use in legal proceedings; assists in all phases of hearing preparation, including setting hearings/depositions/meetings, organizing notebooks and exhibits and preparing witness for evidentiary hearing; and files pleadings with court.
• Maintains calendar/docket, files, case opening and closings, and maintains case information on electronic litigation case management system.
• Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, land titles, abstracts and rules and regulations; prepares memoranda on research findings; and reviews citations, quotations, footnotes, and references for accuracy.
• Participates in managing attorneys’ caseloads including scheduling, prioritizing, preparing chronologies, fact summaries filing, case management; maintains calendar/docket.
• 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
• Communicates with other State Agencies Federal and State Courts with necessary job functions of the Division. Coordinates and launch logistical plans for evidentiary hearings, record hearing team events. May train others but not supervise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis: legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in a legal environment
• Knowledge of office procedures in a legal setting, electronic discovery, and familiarity with legal documents
• 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
• 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 5% 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge: Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat, Legal Case Management, Time Keeping, File & Serve Texas, PACER.
• Skills: Cite-Checking Drafting Briefs, Pleadings, Investigative Research, Fact Checking and Document Review
• Abilities: Work independently as well as in a team

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