SOS Attorney IV (JP25-055)

General Description

Perform legal work for the Business & Government Filings Division of the Office of the Texas Secretary of State (“Agency” or “SOS”). Carry out highly complex (senior-level) legal work examining and reviewing legal documents for compliance with statutory and administrative filing requirements. Engage with the legal community, legislative branch, and the general public through various communication channels—written, telephonic, and personal one-on-one interactions—with a focus on statutory filing requirements associated with business organization documents, registrations, and other filings submitted to the SOS. Provide guidance to staff regarding interpretation and application of statutory filing requirements and Agency administrative rules. Provide legal support concerning the appointment of notaries public and the registration of various state regulated business organizations and/or their agents.  May assist in the training of others.

Salary:  $10,106.25 per month.

Examples of Work Performed

·       Assist in responding to questions from the general public and Agency staff regarding legal requirements for business organization documents, and other registrations and filings made with the SOS. 

·       Perform legal research and draft legal memoranda on statutes, administrative rules, and Agency operations.

·       Review state applications for registration of trademark and service mark.

·       Assist in responding to subpoenas and requests for public information.

·       Assist with reviewing complaints of alleged violations of laws relating to notaries public, and certain occupation-based registrants and/or their agents.

·       Assist in drafting and editing legal documents such as petitions, motions, and other materials for administrative hearings, and potentially representing the Agency at hearings when required.

·       May assist in drafting administrative rules.

·       May assist with legislative analysis during legislative session.

·       May assist Agency General Counsel with legal issues related to business organizations.

·       Assist in staff training or in making public presentations.

·       Duties and Responsibilities of an Expedited Handling Attorney

·       Researches applicable law to determine statutory compliance of submissions.

·       Reconciles discrepancies and choice of law conflicts by utilizing specialized knowledge of the Business Organizations Code and its interplay with any other applicable laws.

·       Reviews complex or novel submissions that are escalated to "Attorney Review" to determine statutory compliance such as:

-Forming, amending, or restating special purpose entities:

o   (e.g. Local Government Corporations, Economic Development Corporations, Public Facility Corporations, Cooperatives, Perpetual Care Cemeteries, Captive Insurance Companies, Water Supply Corporations, etc.);

o   Certificates of Validation;

o   Complex mergers or conversions (especially involving special purpose entities); and        

o   Complex filings related to series LLC (e.g. termination, conversion, merger).

·       Drafts legally accurate rejection letters that are clear, coherent, and fully address all reasons for rejection.

·       Determines whether a document may be filed or rejected, based on policy, when there is a gap in the applicable law.

·       Drafts rejection reasons for document examiners when there is no standard rejection reason already in use for that particular issue.

·       Communicates with customers, via phone call, email, or in person, to address questions and concerns regarding a submission or an amended submission.

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

General Qualification Guidelines: Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·     Education:  L.L.B. or J.D. degree.

·     Licensure/Certification:  Licensed to practice law in Texas.

·     Experience:  At least four (4) years of legal experience.

·     Ability to perform legal research, analysis, and writing, including experience in use of legal research software, namely, LexisNexis.

·     Ability to prioritize workloads and to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously within specific timeframes.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·       Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

·       Ability to use legal reference materials, interpret statutes and administrative rules, and apply legal principles and rules to filing determinations.

·       Ability to maintain a positive work environment by interacting with public and staff in a cooperative and polite manner.

·       Skill in using a computer; ability to utilize general Microsoft Windows functionality; proficiency in use of MS 365 Suite of products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and TEAMS; appropriate typing skills for preparation of written communications.

·       Ability to work effectively with limited supervision, and with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

·       Ability to track multiple tasks or projects simultaneously and ensure completion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Knowledge of Texas business organization law.

·       Knowledge of trademark law.

·       Knowledge of administrative law.

·       Knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act.

·       Customer service or client relations experience.

·       Ability to proficiently speak read and write Spanish.

·       Ability to train others.

·       5-7 years of legal experience. 

Applicants should submit a State of Texas Application, resume, and cover letter. Applicants also may be required to take a skills aptitude test if selected for an interview.

Information for Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen
The following MOS codes are generally applicable to this position: 15P, 36B, 42A, 56M, 68J, 88H, 88N, 89A, 89B, 92A, 92Y, AZ, LS, MC, PS, RP, SN, YN, 641X, 741X, 360, 018, 0100, 0111, 6046, 0102, 0170, 4430, 3A1X1, 8A200. Please include any of these codes in the State of Texas application to better determine whether the minimum qualifications for this posting have been met.

General Qualification Guidelines: Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·     Education:  L.L.B. or J.D. degree.

·     Licensure/Certification:  Licensed to practice law in Texas.

·     Experience:  At least four (4) years of legal experience.

·     Ability to perform legal research, analysis, and writing, including experience in use of legal research software, namely, LexisNexis.

·     Ability to prioritize workloads and to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously within specific timeframes.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·       Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

·       Ability to use legal reference materials, interpret statutes and administrative rules, and apply legal principles and rules to filing determinations.

·       Ability to maintain a positive work environment by interacting with public and staff in a cooperative and polite manner.

·       Skill in using a computer; ability to utilize general Microsoft Windows functionality; proficiency in use of MS 365 Suite of products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and TEAMS; appropriate typing skills for preparation of written communications.

·       Ability to work effectively with limited supervision, and with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

·       Ability to track multiple tasks or projects simultaneously and ensure completion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Knowledge of Texas business organization law.

·       Knowledge of trademark law.

·       Knowledge of administrative law.

·       Knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act.

·       Customer service or client relations experience.

·       Ability to proficiently speak read and write Spanish.

·       Ability to train others.

·       5-7 years of legal experience. 

Applicants should submit a State of Texas Application, resume, and cover letter. Applicants also may be required to take a skills aptitude test if selected for an interview.

Information for Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen
The following MOS codes are generally applicable to this position: 15P, 36B, 42A, 56M, 68J, 88H, 88N, 89A, 89B, 92A, 92Y, AZ, LS, MC, PS, RP, SN, YN, 641X, 741X, 360, 018, 0100, 0111, 6046, 0102, 0170, 4430, 3A1X1, 8A200. Please include any of these codes in the State of Texas application to better determine whether the minimum qualifications for this posting have been met.