Attorney IV

A Government Entity

  • Austin, TX
  • 4 Years
  • Full Time
  • 00053761
  • 10,000 / Monthly
  • Not Specified
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Description:

Description:
Do you have a passion for public state service and enjoy making a difference? Don't miss out on this opportunity. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is hiring! Apply today if you're looking for a rewarding career in public state service. TDI regulates the insurance industry, administers the Texas workers' compensation system, educates, and protects consumers. TDI is located at the Barbara Jordan Building at 1601 Congress Avenue in Austin, near the Texas Capitol.

Benefits of working at TDI:
  • Flexible work schedules.
  • Work-life-balance.
  • 96 hours of accrued vacation a year.
  • 96 hours of accrued sick leave a year.
  • 20+ holidays every year.
  • Career advancement opportunities.
  • Free parking.
  • 401(k) and 457 Programs.
  • State of Texas retirement plan with a lifetime annuity through the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).
  • Free comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees and 50% off premium costs for dependents (state pays other 50%).
  • Optional benefits like dental, vision, life insurance, and many more.
  • Qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Before you apply:
Learn about our selection process (http://www.tdi.texas.gov/jobs/apply.html), our military employment preference, licensing, and credential requirements.

Attorney IV
Apply your skills with a dynamic team of legal professionals at TDI. With $290.0 billion in premiums in 2023, Texas is the nation's second largest insurance market and the seventh largest in the world. The General Counsel Division is hiring for an attorney to support TDI in monitoring the insurance marketplace. You will be at the forefront of insurance regulation and have the chance to shape policies and regulations that impact the daily lives of Texans.

This position performs advanced (senior-level) legal work in collaboration with other departments within the agency, including the consumer protection and enforcement divisions, to evaluate market practices and trends and develop and review policies, regulations, procedures, and communications, ensuring they align with legal requirements.

Work includes evaluating market practices of regulated entities and their dealings with third parties and consumers. Work also includes interpreting laws and regulations, applying the law to factual circumstances, preparing legal documents and correspondence with insurance companies and consumers, collaborating with subject matter experts, and providing legal advice to agency staff on matters involving insurance regulation and administrative law. Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The General Counsel Division provides training and a positive, collaborative work culture. An ideal candidate will have excellent legal research and writing skills, the ability to interpret state and federal laws and apply them to novel legal problems, and the ability to draft thorough and plain language legal documents. The ideal candidate will show a willingness and ability to take on new challenges and subject matters. The candidate will be detail-oriented and an excellent communicator, with good collaboration skills and judgment in the analysis of legal risks.

This position:
  • Advises staff on legal matters and forward-looking plans to address issues identified in industry trends, including the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal law.
  • Advises staff on legal matters and forward-looking plans to address issues identified in industry trends, including the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal law.
  • Performs research, analysis, investigation, and collaboration among divisions to evaluate market practices and trends of regulated entities and their dealings with third parties and consumers.
  • Reviews and analyzes complaints data to monitor industry trends and conduct.
  • Assists various divisions in identifying potential noncompliance through market analysis, complaints review, and examination.
  • Performs other surveillance tasks as outlined in Insurance Code Chapter 751.
  • Drafts legal opinions and memoranda on regulatory matters.
  • Researches, analyzes, and drafts administrative rules and orders.
  • Participates in administrative and regulatory hearings.
  • Researches and assists in drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration.
  • Assists or coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General, other state insurance regulators, and other government agencies.
  • Represents the agency at business meetings, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.
  • Travel is required up to 5% of the time.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
This position requires:
  • Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
  • Four years of legal experience.
  • Regular work attendance.
  • Licensure as an attorney to practice law in Texas.
  • Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas

Note | substitution language:
Law clerk experience can be counted toward the legal experience.

Preferences for this position include:
  • Previous experience as an attorney with a focus on government, administrative, or public law.
  • Previous experience advising in-house on legal issues or similar environment.
  • Previous experience with public relations.
  • Previous experience drafting rules and legislation.
  • Previous experience in insurance or insurance litigation.
  • A resume submitted with the application.
  • A cover letter submitted with the application.
  • A writing sample or excerpt of no more than 10 pages, double-spaced, in 12-point font, submitted with the application. The writing sample should not have been authored by anyone other than the applicant.

This position requires demonstrated knowledge of:
  • State laws, rules, procedures, and regulations relevant to job requirements.
  • Legal principles, practices, and proceedings.
  • Caseload management techniques, including prioritization, decision-making, and collaboration with internal clients and management.
  • State and federal laws, rules, and regulations with emphasis on the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas Administrative Procedure Act.

This position requires demonstrated skill in:
  • Problem solving and critical thinking.
  • Using Microsoft Office software applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
  • Using personal computers sufficient to enter and extract data from related systems and programs such as Centralized Accounting Payroll and Personnel (CAPPS) and other systems required to perform the job.
  • Effective oral and verbal communication, including the ability to express comments and legal opinions clearly and persuasively.
  • Legal research, writing, and analysis, including the ability to identify and analyze legal problems, and prepare sound, clear opinions and briefs in plain language.
  • Reasoning and logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Identifying and solving complex problems. 
  • Independently planning and organizing a moderate workload.
  • Using good judgment to analyze legal problems and identify courses of action.
  • Project management or team leadership.

This position requires the demonstrated ability to: