OAG - Criminal Appeals | Assistant Attorney General I-II | 25-0620 | REVISED 08/21/2025

REVISED 08/21/2025

General Description

The Criminal Appeals Division of the Office of the Attorney General seeks enthusiastic attorneys licensed in Texas for an Assistant Attorney General position. The Criminal Appeals Division represents the State in litigation challenging state felony convictions and sentences through federal habeas corpus review in federal district courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The division also occasionally represents the State in direct appeal and postconviction proceedings brought in Texas state courts. Work involves planning, coordinating, and monitoring legal activities; providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance; representing the State’s interest in civil and criminal matters; reviewing, evaluating, and rendering legal opinions; and drafting bills for legislative consideration.

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. Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) 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

Assistant Attorney General I:

• Researches and writes appellate briefs, federal district court answers, motions, petitions, and other legal documents in relation to habeas cases in the Criminal Appeals Division.
• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues.
• Represents Office of the Attorney General before state and federal district and appellate courts.
• Participates in evidentiary hearings/presenting oral arguments in state and federal court.
• Provides legal advice to client agencies, local district attorneys and/or law enforcement entities.
• Works in conjunction with fellow attorneys within the Criminal Appeals division and other appellate attorneys in the agency.
  
  

Assistant Attorney General II: all the above functions for Assistant Attorney General I, PLUS;

• May train less tenured staff.
• 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

Assistant Attorney General I

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate
• Licensed to practice by the Texas State Bar.
• Member in good standing with the Texas State Bar and eligible to practice law in Texas by start date
• Knowledge of Federal habeas practices and procedures.
• 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 15%
  
  

Assistant Attorney General II: All the above qualifications for an Assistant Attorney General I, PLUS:

• Experience: One-year full-time experience as an appellate lawyer
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: First or second chair experience handling complex federal habeas evidentiary hearings or state or federal trial experience.
• Willingness to work on non-capital and capital cases.
• Experience and or demonstrated willingness to mentor/train less experienced attorneys.
• Certifications: Member in good standing with Texas State Bar and United States Supreme Court
  
  

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