General Counsel I - Litigation Support - Office of the General Counsel - Huntsville/Austin (017157)

Texas Department of Criminal Justice • Huntsville, TX

5h

About The Position

Performs moderately complex legal work. Work involves interpreting laws, rules, and regulations; preparing legal documents; rendering legal advice and counsel; consulting with attorneys; assisting in preparing cases for trial; assisting in drafting and negotiating contracts; and drafting bills for legislative consideration. Works under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Two years full-time, wage-earning experience as a licensed attorney.
• Must maintain a current active license to practice law in the State of Texas during employment with Texas Department of Criminal Justice through the State Bar of Texas.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations affecting the Texas Department of Criminal Justice agency operations.
• Knowledge of legal principles and practices of litigation program administration and management.
• Knowledge of state government operations and the functions of criminal justice systems.
• Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
• Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Skill in administrative problem-solving techniques.
• Skill to review technical data and prepare technical reports.
• Skill in public address.
• Skill to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the agency.
• Skill to review and evaluate the impact of procedures, statutes, rules, regulations, policies, judgments, and litigation on the agency.
• Skill to plan and organize a legal services program.
• Skill to prepare legal documents.
• Skill to train and supervise the work of others.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a legal counsel in a governmental agency preferred.
• Experience in administrative, contract, criminal, or labor/employment law preferred.
• Program development experience in a legal field preferred.
• Litigation experience in state or federal court preferred.
• Experience in the supervision of employees preferred.
• Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans and organizes litigation support activities for agency civil cases; reviews laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations and administration; provides legislative consultation, guidance, and analyses; provides legal advice on policy decision making; advises on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of agency laws and regulations; assists in the strategic planning process; develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; and ensures compliance with laws pertaining to the program areas.
• Drafts legal opinions, briefs, documents, reports, and responses; assists in the preparation, development, and review of legislation; and assists in developing the agency’s position regarding legislative impact.
• Interacts with the Office of the Attorney General on impact of litigation involving the agency; monitors litigation impact on policies and procedures; prepares litigation summary reports providing litigation case statistical information, progress, and judgment; and coordinates management review of settlement activities.
• Provides liaison with agency staff and administrators, other local, state, and federal agencies and organizations, legislative staff, and the public; represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences and seminars and on boards, panels, and committees; and testifies at hearings, trials, and legislative meetings.
• Trains, coordinates, and supervises the work of others. Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees