Appellate Specialist | Assistant Attorney General IV | Consumer Protection

****PLEASE NOTE THIS APPLICATION IS EXPRESSING INTEREST IN THIS ROLE AND NOT A FORMAL APPLICATION*****

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Consumer Protection Division (CPD) seeks a licensed attorney for a highly competitive appellate position. Work involves analyzing CPD enforcement actions on appeal, drafting internal case assessments, advising leadership on litigation strategy, preparing appellate briefs and reply briefs, and presenting oral argument in Texas appellate courts.

This candidate will also be comfortable handling court appearances, engaging in motion practice, and zealously litigating issues on behalf of the State.

The Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, an agency of the State of Texas, works to protect Texas consumers and the legitimate business community by investigating breaches of fiduciary duties, fraud and deceptive advertising, filing civil lawsuits to enforce state and federal consumer protection and charitable trust laws, and educating Texans on how to spot and avoid possible scams. The Division has regional offices in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio. 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 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. 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. Assistant Attorneys General 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

• Drafts appellate briefs, reply briefs, and motions in Texas appellate courts; prepares cases for oral argument
• Analyzes trial court records, identifies preserved error, and assesses appealability and likelihood of success on appeal
• Provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to clients and management on appellate issues
• Represents the Office of the Attorney General in oral argument before Texas Courts of Appeal and in appellate motion practice
• Performs legal research and investigations; reports findings and recommendations to leadership
• Monitors developing appellate case law relevant to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and consumer protection enforcement; advises division on legal developments
• Coordinates with trial counsel on preservation of error, development of appellate records, and appellate strategy
• Prepares legal documents, including but not limited to briefs, pleadings, and memoranda; prepares cases for trial
• Provides technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced attorneys on appellate practice and brief writing
• Maintains knowledge of appellate procedure, standards of review, and legal principles relevant to Consumer Protection
• Maintains a high volume of appellate cases and trial court support matters
• 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

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D.
• Experience: Five years of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney in civil litigation, Authored at least five appellate briefs in state or federal courts
• Presented oral argument before a Texas appellate court
• 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 law and legal principles and practices relevant to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act; and relevant Consumer Protection Statutes and/or other relevant Health & Safety Code laws and regulations
• 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
• 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 the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval
• 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, to communicate effectively, and to train others.
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines
• Ability to supervise the work of others
• 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 20%

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act or consumer protection enforcement
• Appellate clerkship or significant appellate motion practice