Ongoing Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Criminal Appeals Divisions of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is seeking a Legal Assistant that will provide legal assistance to division attorneys. 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
Legal Assistant I:
- Drafts, prepares, reviews and edits pleadings, motions, briefs, petitions, summary judgments, rules and other administrative and agency procedures; and participates in coordinating complex drafting, responding and calendaring of interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions and other information in accordance with local, state, federal and agency rules and procedures
- Assists 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 witnesses for evidentiary hearing; and files pleadings with court.
- Maintains calendar/docket, files, case openings 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
- Prepares documents; organizes documents in complex litigation; and prepares and coordinates service of subpoenas, notices of deposition and other legal documents to witnesses and parties to actions
- 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:
- Checks citations, quotations, footnotes, and references for accuracy
- May train others, but not supervise
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Legal Assistant I:
- Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
- Experience: Three years of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: Criminal Justice, Civil Litigation, Appellate Law and or Criminal Prosecution
- 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 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%
Legal Assistant II: All of the above qualifications for a Legal Assistant I, Plus:
- 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
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Graduation from a course of study for legal assistants [Copy of certificate required at time of interview]
- Experience: Legal Assistant experience in civil litigation with the Texas Attorney General or other state agency
- 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 setting
- Certifications: Legal Assistant Certificate
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/JobDescriptions/R3572.pdf
THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
OAG - Criminal Appeals | Legal Assistant I-II | 25-0478