GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Office of the Attorney General, a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas, is hiring a part- time Legal Assistant for the Bankruptcy & Collections Division. The Bankruptcy & Collections Division is the centralized collection authority for the State, charged with the responsibility to recover all debts, judgments, taxes, fees, fines, penalties, loans, and other obligations referred to the agency for collection. Division attorneys represent and protect the State’s monetary, regulatory, and policy interests in bankruptcy cases as they may appear.

The OAG seeks a highly qualified Legal Assistant to join the Bankruptcy Tax Team. The position is part-time, 20 hours per week. The Bankruptcy Tax Team represents state agencies such as the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas Workforce Commission in bankruptcy cases across the country. The qualified candidate would perform complex to highly complex legal assistant work including, but not limited to, coordinating legal activities, analyzing and investigating bankruptcy cases, performing legal research and drafting legal documents, and assisting Bankruptcy Tax Team attorneys with case management.

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 III:

• Maintains an inventory of bankruptcy cases for client agencies
• Maintains calendar/docket, opens and close cases
• Maintains case management system to monitor bankruptcy payments and compliance with bankruptcy confirmed plans and settlements
• Maintains case management database for statistical reporting and other information needs
• Monitors bankrupt entities’ compliance with state tax requirements using client mainframe
• Drafts, prepares, and reviews routine to complex pleadings and other legal documents in accordance with federal bankruptcy court procedures and other applicable statutes, policies and rules
• Files and serves pleadings electronically through court filing system in accordance with all applicable statutes, rules and procedures
• Reviews mail and a large volume of electronic filings for cases in Legal Assistant’s inventory
• Makes and answers calls for cases in Legal Assistant’s inventory
• Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, abstracts and rules and regulations; prepares memoranda on research findings
• Assists with coordinating, assembling and preparing evidence, exhibits, affidavits and other documents for use in legal proceedings
• Assists attorneys and support staff with case management
• Communicates with state agencies, court personnel, bankruptcy trustees or outside entities
• Assists Office Manager as needed
• 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 IV – all above functions for a Legal Assistant III plus:

• May supervise others
• Conduct statistical, documentary, and investigatory research
• Coordinate discovery, including the drafting, responding and calendaring of interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions and other requests for information in accordance with local, state, federal and agency rules and procedures

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Legal Assistant III:

• 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.
• Experience: One year full-time Legal Assistant supporting matters in federal courts
• Knowledge of general office practices
• Knowledge of legal documents
• Knowledge of Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, or other legal research tools
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Skill in conducting effective research
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Ability to effectively manage a large caseload
• 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 more than 20 hours per week as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
• Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.

Legal Assistant IV – all above qualifications for a Legal Assistant III plus:

• Experience: One additional year full-time Legal Assistant experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from a course of study for legal assistants
• Experience: Bankruptcy & restructuring experience

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