OAG - Healthcare Program Enforcement | Assistant Attorney General IV-V | 26-0461

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Office of the Attorney General is seeking attorneys licensed in Texas to join the agency’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division to engage in the exciting and fulfilling work of investigating, evaluating, and litigating whistleblower lawsuits filed under the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act. Our cases involve lawsuits against a variety of defendants including pharmaceutical companies, drug manufacturers and medical providers. The OAG seeks qualified, self-motivated candidates to manage cases from inception to conclusion, including investigating qui tam cases, drafting and issuing civil investigative demands, drafting motions and trying cases, and negotiating settlements and pursuing appeals. The role requires close coordination with government agencies, thorough analysis of complex regulatory schemes, and active involvement in discovery, witness interviews, data review, and case recommendations. Knowledge of or interest in healthcare law is a plus.  

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

• Initiates and conducts Healthcare Program Enforcement and related investigations. Analyzes factual and legal issues and develops evidence for pursuit of Healthcare Program Enforcement cases, including performing legal research, conducting interviews, and directing investigator activity. Reviews data and documentation from client agencies and other resources, coordinates with the federal government and other state governments to evaluate and potentially resolve pending whistle-blower lawsuits, and reports findings and analysis to management and Executive Administration.
• Monitors pending cases in which the State has declined to intervene, preparing legal briefs independently and in coordination with other AAGs where needed to protect the State’s interests.
• Working on a team of attorneys in the Healthcare Program Enforcement Division, investigating and litigating complex cases and preparing cases for jury trial.
• Conducting all aspects of pre-trial litigation, including discovery, motion practice, preparation for and/or conducting fact and expert witness depositions; analyzing factual and legal issues and evidence as a part of litigating healthcare program fraud cases; reviewing documentation from client agencies and produced from parties in discovery.
• Preparing legal briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents; drafting discovery requests and responses; representing the Office of the Attorney General before state or federal district courts
• Overseeing the analysis of factual and legal issues and developing evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery.
• 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
• 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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant Attorney General (AAG) IV:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.)
• Experience: Three years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas
• Must be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas by start date.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Ability to prepare legal documents, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize findings, to prepare cases and present at trial, to conduct hearings, to communicate effectively, and to train others
• 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 workspace 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 20%

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) V: All the above qualifications for AAG IV PLUS:

• Experience: One additional year of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney
   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: Working on complex civil litigation in both state and federal courts.
• Experience: Summation, Concordance, Relativity or Clearwell legal review software.
• Conducting legal analysis involving complex statutory and regulatory schemes at the state and federal levels, including applying legal analysis to fact situations and making recommendations.
• Knowledge of law, legal principles, and practices relevant to the Texas Healthcare Program Fraud Prevention Act and False Claims Act.
• Knowledge of Texas Rules of Civil procedure, Texas Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence.
• Familiarity with Texas and Federal case law regarding discovery and pleading.

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