Attorney IV - Litigation

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Functional Title: Attorney IV - Litigation

Job Title: Attorney IV

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: LSD Litigation 3

Posting Number: 21499

Closing Date: 03/15/2027

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Legal

Salary Range: $8,000.00 - $11,000.00

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-28

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework: Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 10%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: EL PASO

Job Location Address: 401 FRANKLIN AVE

Other Locations: Austin; Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata

MOS Codes: 4402,4405,4406,4407,4408,4409,4410,4411,4417,250X,27A,51JX,92J0,LGL10,LGL11

Brief Job Description:

This position serves as an Attorney IV with the Litigation Department in the Legal Services Division (LSD) of the HHS Office of Chief Counsel (OCC).

The Litigation Department is responsible for providing legal advice and support for pending or threatened litigation against HHS or HHS employees in their official or individual capacities. The Department serves as the primary point of contact with the Office of the Attorney General to defend lawsuits and administrative actions filed against HHSC or DSHS concerning employment decisions, tort claims, agency rules and policies, alleged constitutional deprivations, contract and procurement disputes, federal and state statutes, including the Medicaid Act, and to prosecute cases of Medicaid fraud.

This position primarily handles complex litigation, collaborates with other LSD departments and areas of OCC, and appropriately and effectively communicates with HHS system clients, executives, and state and federal partners.

The position performs highly advanced legal work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Reviews, analyzes, and advises on the interpretation, application, and implementation of laws, rules, and policies affecting the HHS system and its operation and administration.
• Reviews, analyzes, and advises on the claims and defenses in litigation, and uses sound judgment to devise litigation strategy in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General.
• Provides legal advice to HHS system staff and decision-makers.
• Provides legal briefings and reports to HHS system executives and decision-makers.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; state and federal laws, regulations, and rules, including civil procedure and evidence, and specifically within the area of constitutional law; HHS system administrative rules and regulations; and HHS system operational policies.
• Skill in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and legal of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Skill in building and maintaining positive working relationships within OCC, across the HHS system, and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare legal documents, to prepare policies and procedures, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize findings, to prepare legal issues for presentation to executive, legislative, judicial and/or other audiences, and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to conduct legal research using Westlaw and other online legal research tools. Ability to summarize and communicate research findings verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively represent the agency at hearings and depositions, to prepare motions and briefs, and to prepare cases for trial.
• Ability to use and train staff on current technology and identify, implement, and train staff on new technology.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must have graduated from an accredited law school with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Must be licensed as an attorney by and a member in good standing with the State of Texas.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required: At least five years' experience in litigation.

Preferred: At least three years' experience in the areas of complex litigation, appellate law, or administrative law.

Additional Information:

Preferrance given to candidates with:

• Experience handling a variety of litigation activities including preparation of cases for hearings and trial, discovery and motion practice, preparing witnesses for deposition and trial, and attending hearings.
• Experience interpreting and applying laws and policies related to state agencies in Texas.
• A general understanding of defenses unique to governmental agencies, including sovereign and Eleventh Amendment immunities and official/qualified immunity.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditors Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.