Closing Date: 27th December, 2026

Description:

Brief Job Description:
Performs advanced (senior-level) legal work involving examining and preparing legal documents, interpreting laws and regulations, rendering legal advice and counsel, consulting with trial attorneys, conducting hearings, and preparing cases for agency hearings and/or trials. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Coordinate, formulate, and establish policies and procedures.

Oversees and coordinates litigation-related legal and administrative activities involving employment claims, tort actions, constitutional claims, contract disputes, and other lawsuits against the agency; evaluates risks, identifies defenses, develops litigation strategies, and formulates recommendations, policies, and procedures to protect the agency's legal interests.
Drafts litigation summaries, legal analyses, status updates, and recommendations for the DFPS General Counsel and Associate General Counsel concerning new lawsuits, significant case developments, litigation risks, settlement considerations, and potential impacts to agency operations.
Researches complex legal issues; interprets state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and court decisions; and collaborates with agency leadership, program staff, and attorneys supporting DFPS to provide timely legal advice, establish consistent litigation practices, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Review drafts of bills or amendments for legislative consideration.

Drafts letters requesting representation from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG); collaborates with Assistant Attorneys General and agency staff to prepare responses to complaints and petitions; researches claims and defenses; and drafts, reviews, and edits motions, briefs, appellate filings, legal memoranda, and other litigation documents.
Drafts recommendations for agency leadership regarding settlement proposals, appellate actions, litigation strategy, and other legal matters; reviews settlement agreements and court-related documents to ensure agency interests are adequately protected.
Reviews drafts of bills, laws, policies, and other legal authorities and prepares analyses and recommendations concerning their potential impact on agency operations, litigation exposure, and legal compliance requirements.

Prepare subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses, records, and documents for hearings and civil litigations.

Reviews discovery requests and coordinates with agency staff to identify, collect, preserve, and organize responsive records, documents, electronically stored information, and other evidence required for litigation matters.
Drafts, reviews, and edits discovery requests, responses, objections, and related litigation documents; utilizes e-discovery software to review information for production and ensure compliance with applicable procedural requirements.
Coordinates with the OAG and agency personnel regarding document production, witness information, and discovery strategy, and monitors litigation activities to ensure that defensive and offensive discovery efforts are conducted effectively and within required deadlines.

Enforce agency regulatory provisions and prosecutes violations.
Review drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations.

Reviews proposed laws, regulations, agency policies, and legal authorities affecting DFPS operations and litigation matters and provides legal analysis regarding compliance obligations, operational impacts, and potential legal risks.
Drafts recommendations and legal guidance for agency leadership regarding the interpretation and implementation of laws, rules, regulations, and policies impacting agency operations.

Schedule hearings, interrogate witnesses, and prepare decisions on administrative appeals of decisions and rulings.

Draft memoranda on regulatory matters and administrative rules for the Texas Register.

Serve as a liaison with complainants to be represented in an administrative hearing or with their authorized representatives.

Prepare and/or assist in preparing cases for trial and represent the agency in matters before a court as appropriate.

Assists in preparing cases for trial by coordinating with the Office of the Attorney General, agency staff, and witnesses; reviewing evidence; developing litigation strategies; and supporting case preparation activities.
Attends hearings and litigation proceedings and works with Assistant Attorneys General to advance and defend the agency's interests in court and administrative proceedings.

Perform research for policy and process questions.
Conducts legal research and analysis concerning litigation matters, agency policies, operational processes, and procedural requirements to support informed decision-making and risk management.

Advises staff and the public on legal matters and the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.

Provides legal advice and counsel to agency leadership, management, and program staff regarding litigation matters and the interpretation and application of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and court rulings.
Advises agency personnel regarding legal risks, litigation developments, discovery obligations, settlement considerations, and compliance with court orders and legal requirements.

Prepares legal opinions, briefs, contracts, proposals, and reports.

Drafts, reviews, and edits legal briefs, motions, appellate filings, litigation memoranda, settlement recommendations, and other legal documents supporting agency litigation matters.
Prepares litigation summaries, status reports, legal analyses, and recommendations for the General Counsel and Associate General Counsel concerning pending lawsuits and significant legal developments.

Conducts and/or assists in conducting administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings.

Researches points of law involved in hearings to determine the validity and completeness of cases cited.
Researches legal claims, defenses, and issues arising in litigation and evaluates relevant statutes, regulations, case law, and legal authorities supporting agency positions.

Investigates alleged law violations and prepares reports of findings.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.
Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; and agency administrative rules and regulations.
Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in the use of a computer and applicable software; in applying reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; and in using judgment to identify courses of action.
Skill in mediation and negotiations.
Ability to conduct hearings, to prepare opinions and briefs, to prepare cases for trial, to conduct research, to summarize findings, to interpret and apply laws, to use legal reference materials, and to communicate effectively.
Ability to supervise others.
Ability to plan and organize work and to advise on hearings.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.

Initial Screening Criteria:
Experience in legal work. Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.

Preferred Criteria:
5 years of experience in litigation preferred.