TDI- Attorney I-II

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.

Things you’ll do in your first year on the job as an Enforcement attorney:

• Get litigation experience with a manageable docket. Solid training and plenty of experienced support help you ease into litigating cases. Once you’ve gathered the skills needed, you’ll have relevant skills others take a career to develop.
• Develop administrative law skills—a varied practice area with public and private practitioners throughout the state.
• Learn the insurance industry. Every lawyer deals with insurance in their practice and in their daily life.
• Work with a collaborative, team-oriented group of professionals.

Whether you stay at TDI for a year or a career, you’ll cultivate long-lasting, valuable skills and relationships. The Texas insurance market is the fifth largest in the world and has vast career prospects. Learn the ropes, protect nearly 30 million Texas consumers, and even work towards public service loan forgiveness as TDI is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. TDI also offers a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Before you apply:

Learn about our selection process, our military employment preference, licensing, and credential requirements.

Attorney I-II (Attorney)

Performs entry level to routine (journey-level) to moderate complex attorney work for Enforcement. Investigates and litigates administrative actions against licensed insurance agents, adjusters, companies, and other authorized persons, as well as against unlicensed individuals and entities for violations of the Texas Insurance Code, Texas Administrative Code, and Texas Occupations Code. Work involves planning legal activities, preparing legal documents, participating in hearings, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. Works under moderate supervision, with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position:

Represents the Texas Department of Insurance in disciplinary actions concerning licensed insurance agents, adjusters, companies, and other authorized persons, as well as against unlicensed individuals and entities.

• 
  Drafts briefs and pleadings.
• Prepares commissioner orders related to contested cases and hearings.
• Assists in the investigation and resolution of complaints concerning alleged violations of the Texas Insurance Code, Texas Administrative Code, and Texas Occupations Code.
• Assists the Office of the Attorney General in preparation of administrative appeals.
• Provides legal advice and opinions for the commissioner of insurance and other agency employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This position requires:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. or LL.B degree.
• Preferred Experience.

Attorney I – six months to one year of legal experience. Law clerk, legal assistant, or similar experience may count toward legal experience requirement.

Attorney II – at least two years of legal experience. Law clerk, legal assistant, or similar experience may count toward legal experience requirement.

Regular work attendance.

Registration, License, or Certification Required:

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Licensure candidates who took a recent bar exam may apply for this position but must meet this licensing requirement before the date of hire.

Additional job details:

This position requires regular work attendance. The ideal candidate must be available for daily meetings and group collaboration via Microsoft Teams and other applications during regular business hours.

The following items MUST be submitted with the application:

• A resume
• A complete law school transcript showing graduation date (Personal Identifiable Information should be redacted).
• If you are chosen for an interview, you must provide the following before the interview:
• A writing sample of no more than 10 pages, which must not be authored by anyone other than the applicant.

This position requires applicant to be eligible to apply for access to the Texas Criminal Justice Information system. For eligibility, see: https://www.dps.texas.gov/administration/crime_records/docs/txCJISSysAccPolicy.pdf

TDI will conduct a criminal background check on all final candidates. An applicant who has been convicted of, received deferred adjudication for, or has an open arrest for a criminal offense, may be disqualified from employment.

Preferences for this position include:

• At least one year of litigation experience.
• Working knowledge of and experience in administrative, insurance, or criminal law.
• Successful completion of litigation-related law school courses, such as evidence, advocacy, trial skills, clinics, internship, and participation in mock trial or moot court may be counted toward the litigation experience requirement.

This position requires demonstrated knowledge of:

• State laws, rules, procedures, and regulations relevant to job requirements.
• Civil evidentiary techniques and procedural requirements.
• Word processing and experience in the preparation of pleadings, legal documents, and briefs.
• 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.
• Legal research, analysis, and writing in plain English.
• Prioritizing workloads and meeting deadlines.

This position requires the demonstrated ability to:

• Communicate and work effectively with a wide range of people with varied skills, knowledge, and backgrounds.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Analyze and solve work-related problems and work independently on a variety of administrative work and technical assignments.
• Manage and coordinate multiple tasks and priorities to meet necessary deadlines.
• Work both independently and as a team player.
• Comprehend and apply the Texas Insurance Code, the Texas Administrative Code, and the Texas Occupations Code.
• Coordinate investigations and prepare witnesses and evidence for contested case hearings.
• Express comments and legal opinions logically and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
• Collaborate, communicate, and work effectively with agency staff, the insurance industry, governmental officials, and the public.
• Apply critical thinking to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the agency.
• Exercise mature judgment and discretion in making decisions relative to assigned cases and the preparation of legal opinions.
• Provide commitment to public service.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.

Military Employment Preference

Get help translating your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets. Redact personal or sensitive information from all attachments.

To receive a military employment preference, you must submit the following documents, as applicable, with your application. See How to Apply – Military Employment Preference.

Applicable Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes are included, but not limited to one of the following:

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

Click or copy and paste the following link into your browser to access Military Crosswalk information:

http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

How to apply:

All applications must contain complete job histories, including job title, dates of employment, name of employer, manager’s name and phone number, and a description of duties performed. We may reject applications that do not include all the required information. Resumes do not substitute for this required information.

Submitted through Work in Texas:

Work in Texas (WIT) applicants must complete supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Career Center to register or log in and access your profile.