SOS Attorney III

General Description
Performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work for the Business & Government Filings Division of the Office of the Texas Secretary of State (“Agency”). Provide guidance to Agency staff regarding the interpretation and application of statutory and administrative filing requirements, including the examination and review of moderately advanced legal documents for compliance with such applicable filing requirements. Engage with the legal community, legislative branch, and general public through various communication channels—written, telephonic, and in-person interactions—with a focus on filing requirements associated with business organization documents, occupation-based registrations, and other filings submitted to the Agency. Provide legal support concerning the appointment of notaries public and authentication of public records for international use. May assist in the training of others.

Examples of Work Performed

• Responds to questions from Agency staff and the general public regarding legal requirements for business organization documents, occupation-based registrations, and other filings submitted to the Agency.
• Conducts legal research and drafts legal memoranda on statutes, administrative rules, and Agency operations.
• Reviews state-level applications for registration of trademarks and service marks.
• Assists in responding to subpoenas and requests for public information.
• Participates in reviewing complaints of alleged violation of laws relating to notaries public and certain occupation-based registrants.
• Prepares petitions, motions, and other legal documents for administrative hearings and potentially represents the Agency at such hearings.
• Reviews and drafts administrative rules.
• Assists with legislative analysis during legislative session.
• Coordinates with Agency General Counsel to address pertinent legal issues.
• Participates in Agency staff training and making public presentations.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

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

Primary Required Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
• Licensure/Certification: Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of legal experience.
• Ability to perform legal research, analysis, and writing, including experience in use of legal research software, namely, LexisNexis.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously within specific timeframes, prioritize workloads, and ensure completion.

Additional Required 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 Agency staff and the general public in a cooperative and polite manner.
• Skill in using a computer; ability to utilize general Microsoft Windows functionality; proficiency in use of Microsoft 365 suite of products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams; appropriate typing skills for preparation of written communications.
• Ability to work effectively under limited supervision and with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Texas business organizations 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 in Spanish.
• Ability to train others.

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.