What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counsel (Austin) position at Texas Workforce Commission?
Who We Are
The Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. We are a Family-Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. By joining our team, you will be part of a collaborative, supportive environment where your daily work makes a tangible difference in the lives and livelihoods of our fellow Texans. This position is based out of 101 E 15th Street, Austin, Texas, in the Office of General Counsel.
TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.
Who You Are
A public-service-minded attorney and collaborative professional with a strategic approach to litigation support, risk assessment, and legal problem-solving. You are eager to serve the agency’s mission, exceed expectations, and use logic and reasoning to reconcile differences and develop effective legal solutions.
What You Will Do
The General Counsel II performs complex (journey-level) legal work in the Office of General Counsel. We are seeking a full-time attorney with knowledge of Unemployment Insurance (UI) law to manage a diverse legal portfolio. While the primary focus of this role is serving as the strategic point of contact for agency litigation, the attorney also provides broader legal assistance and guidance to other agency programs and non-litigation matters.
Serving as a strategic partner to the agency's external litigation counsel, the attorney equips outside counsel with the resources and strategy necessary to defend agency positions and initiate legal actions on the agency's behalf. While the highest volume of these lawsuits involves UI matters (including benefit disputes and employer chargebacks), the attorney also collaborates closely with external counsel to manage Texas Payday Law wage claims and general litigation. Working alongside program experts, this role identifies legal risks, provides litigation support, delivers ongoing legal guidance to various programs, and briefs executive staff. The attorney works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
You Will Be Trusted To
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf
How To Apply
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.
The Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. We are a Family-Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. By joining our team, you will be part of a collaborative, supportive environment where your daily work makes a tangible difference in the lives and livelihoods of our fellow Texans. This position is based out of 101 E 15th Street, Austin, Texas, in the Office of General Counsel.
TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.
Who You Are
A public-service-minded attorney and collaborative professional with a strategic approach to litigation support, risk assessment, and legal problem-solving. You are eager to serve the agency’s mission, exceed expectations, and use logic and reasoning to reconcile differences and develop effective legal solutions.
What You Will Do
The General Counsel II performs complex (journey-level) legal work in the Office of General Counsel. We are seeking a full-time attorney with knowledge of Unemployment Insurance (UI) law to manage a diverse legal portfolio. While the primary focus of this role is serving as the strategic point of contact for agency litigation, the attorney also provides broader legal assistance and guidance to other agency programs and non-litigation matters.
Serving as a strategic partner to the agency's external litigation counsel, the attorney equips outside counsel with the resources and strategy necessary to defend agency positions and initiate legal actions on the agency's behalf. While the highest volume of these lawsuits involves UI matters (including benefit disputes and employer chargebacks), the attorney also collaborates closely with external counsel to manage Texas Payday Law wage claims and general litigation. Working alongside program experts, this role identifies legal risks, provides litigation support, delivers ongoing legal guidance to various programs, and briefs executive staff. The attorney works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
You Will Be Trusted To
- Collaborate with program experts, staff, and the agency's external litigation counsel on litigation involving Unemployment Insurance matters, providing legal analysis and case strategy on eligibility, misconduct, appeals, overpayments, fraud, employer chargebacks, and related statutory requirements.
- Provide litigation support and legal analysis for lawsuits involving Texas Payday Law wage claim appeals, general litigation, and other legal matters as they arise, working in coordination with the agency's external litigation counsel.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the agency's external legal representatives, assisting in initiating civil enforcement actions and formulating defense strategies for civil lawsuits by providing factual and legal analysis, evidentiary documentation, and strategic advice.
- Prepare and deliver monthly litigation reports summarizing pending matters, key developments, and potential agency impacts, as well as other ad hoc reports as needed.
- Manage escalated communications requiring legal intervention and provide ongoing legal support to various TWC programs.
- Analyze complex program issues, conduct policy and risk analysis, and translate complex legal concepts into practical guidance for staff and stakeholders.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments in relevant practice areas and support interagency coordination.
- Draft and review legal documents as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas plus three years of experience in the full-time practice of law, or three years of full-time experience in a responsible position involving legal work as a primary duty.
- Active license to practice law in the State of Texas (in good standing with the State Bar of Texas).
- Knowledge of Unemployment Insurance law and the ability to identify legal risks and implications.
- Experience providing litigation support, formulating case strategy, and acting as a primary point of contact and strategic partner with external legal counsel.
- Experience with Texas Payday Law, wage claim appeals, and general litigation.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to brief executive leadership and explain complex legal concepts clearly to non-attorneys.
- Ability to effectively manage escalated matters in coordination with other departments using applicable legal interventions.
- A Family-Friendly Certified Workplace.
- Competitive salary: $9,083.54/month
- Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
- Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
- Medical Insurance
- Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick, and family care leave
- Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf
How To Apply
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.
Salary : $9,084