Attorney IV

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

12d

About The Position

The Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) seeks an Attorney IV to join the Chief Counsel's Litigation section. The Attorney IV is responsible for a case load of 25-35 moderately complex civil administrative cases. The Attorney will also be in charge of various administrative exclusion and/or sanctions cases involving complex to moderately complex issues that include quasi-criminal procedure, evidentiary issues, and fact scenarios that require advanced litigation experience. The attorney will be responsible for assisting with the development of audits and investigations. Once a case moves into the litigation phase, the Attorney IV will be responsible for all aspects of preparing and litigating the case. These activities include, but are not limited to preparation of pleadings, written discovery, motions, trial briefs and necessary orders. The attorney will also take and defend depositions and examinations under oath and assume first chair trial responsibilities. The attorney will be responsible for coordination of the trial team which will be composed of a legal assistant and one or more additional attorneys. The trial phase may also include mediation and/or informal resolution conferences. The attorney will be required to keep management advised of all aspects of the case.

In addition to these duties, the Attorney IV will provide research and assistance in other areas as assigned and as needed.

Requirements

• Knowledge of trial and/or administrative hearings procedures.
• Knowledge of discovery rules and procedures.
• Knowledge of evidentiary and procedural issues.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and managing litigation.
• Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis.
• Skill in handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines.
• Skill in demonstrating sound judgment.
• Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with client representatives, government employees, and stakeholder groups.
• Skill in performing research using resources including, but not limited to Westlaw, LexisNexis, PACER, administrative agency and court case management systems, and legislative reference sources.
• Skill in use of computer software applications including, but not limited to Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams), Adobe Acrobat Pro, and database programs.
• Ability to analyze complex factual and legal issues related to a wide variety of federal and state laws.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks of varying priorities and to make efficient use of time and resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain effective and collegial relations with all levels of management, staff, and the public.
• Licensed in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Graduation from law school approved by the Supreme Court of Texas with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Requires a minimum of five (5) years of experience as a licensed attorney.
• Requires a minimum of three (3) years of litigation and/or administrative hearing experience.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience in planning and developing investigations and/or litigation related to health care fraud involving Medicaid or Medicare.
• Extensive experience in performing legal research and analysis and drafting legal opinions, briefs, pleadings or other legal memoranda.
• Experience in coordinating with multi-state, federal and state administrative and law enforcement agencies.
• Familiarity with state and federal criminal prosecutions and civil qui tam lawsuits, including litigation and resolution/settlement phases.
• Familiarity with abuse, neglect and exploitation investigations.
• Familiarity with fraud, waste, and abuse investigations.

Responsibilities

• Litigate matters before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) or the Health and Human Services Commission Appeals Division, including drafting pleadings and written discovery, taking and defending depositions, witness preparation, and hearings.
• Case evaluation, preparation, research, and evidence gathering for litigation while keeping the options open to explore settlement.
• Resolving matters by agreement via Informal Resolution Meetings (IRMs) or mediation.
• Liaise with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and Healthcare Program Enforcement Division (HPED) at the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and various state and federal prosecutors.
• General legal research.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree