TDI-Attorney I-III (Staff Attorney)

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, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is hiring! DWC administers and operates the Texas workers’ compensation system. DWC regulates the workers’ compensation system, settles disputes, provides customer service, promotes workplace safety, and ensures compliance with state laws. DWC is located in the Capitol Complex, in 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 the other 50%).
• Optional benefits like dental, vision, life insurance, and many more.
• Qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Before You Apply:

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

Attorney I - II (Staff Attorney)

As a Staff Attorney in our Enforcement Division, you will:

Attorney I

• Perform entry-level to routine (journey-level) legal work for the DWC Enforcement Division. Engage in meaningful legal work right from the start, representing DWC in contract development, settlement negotiations, administrative hearings, and internal policy discussions.
• Learn to enforce compliance and identify non-compliance within the Texas workers’ compensation system, dealing with a range of system participants, including insurance carriers, licensed insurance agents, adjusters, health care providers, attorneys, and employers.
• Develop your legal skills in document preparation, settlement negotiations, participating in administrative hearings, developing, researching, and interpreting the law, and providing legal counsel.
• Be guided by our Director of Enforcement and a committed team of six attorneys and three support staff, gaining insights and expertise to excel in your role.

Attorney Ii

• Perform moderately complex (journey-level) legal work as described above for the DWC Enforcement Division.
• Investigate and litigate administrative enforcement actions against insurance carriers, health care providers, or other system participants for violations of the Texas Labor Code, Texas Insurance Code, or Texas Administrative Code.
• Research and write legal briefs and settlement agreements, plan legal activities, prepare other legal documents, participate in hearings and presentations, interpret laws and regulations, and render legal advice and counsel.
• Have at least two years of experience and work under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may provide guidance to others and may:

o   Prepare and/or assist in preparing cases for trial and represent the agency in matters before the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

o   Perform research for policy and process questions.

o   Draft memoranda on regulatory matters, complex legal issues, and administrative rules.

Attorney Iii

• Perform complex (senior-level) legal work as described above for the DWC Enforcement Division.
• Have at least three years of experience and work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may:
• o   Prosecute complex contested cases, including medical quality of care cases.
• o   Review legislation, proposed rules, and regulations affecting agency operations.
• o   Schedule hearings, interrogate witnesses, and prepare decisions on administrative appeals of decisions and rulings.
• o   Supervise the work of others and train junior staff or other program areas.

Key Responsibilities:

• Represents the TDI/DWC Enforcement section in disciplinary actions concerning health care providers, insurance carriers, and other workers' compensation system participants.
• Resolves complaints concerning alleged violations of the Texas Insurance Code, Texas Government Code, Texas Labor Code, or the Texas Administrative Code.
• Drafts briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents.
• Researches and investigates legal issues and provides legal advice and opinions for the Commissioner of Workers' Compensation, or other agency employees.
• Prepares Commissioner Orders related to contested cases and hearings.
• Participates in administrative hearings and rule-making proceedings.
• Assists the Office of the Attorney General in the preparation of administrative appeals in the District Court.
• Represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars, or on boards, panels, and committees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. or L.L.B. degree.
• Experience in legal research and writing.
• Regular work attendance.
• Criteria above plus at least two years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney. *
• Criteria above plus at least three years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney. *

This Position Requires:

Attorney I

Attorney Ii

Attorney Iii

* Law clerk experience can be counted toward legal experience.

Registration, License, Or Certification Required:

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Additional Job Details:

A writing sample must be submitted with the application.

Preferences For This Position Include:

• Recent administrative, regulatory, health, and/or insurance law experience, with preference given to litigation or litigation support at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• A resume submitted with the application.
• A writing sample of no more than 10 pages, double-spaced, in 12-point font, submitted with the application. The writing sample should not have been authored by anyone other than the applicant.

This position requires demonstrated knowledge of:

• State laws, rules, procedures, and regulations relevant to job requirements.
• Civil and evidentiary techniques and procedural requirements, including the Texas Rules of Evidence and Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Legal principles and practices, including but not limited to administrative proceedings, laws, regulations, and rules relating to the agency, such as the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, the Texas Administrative Procedures Act, and the Public Information Act.
• Legal research methods, including the use of Westlaw and other online resources; and
• Experience in the preparation of legal documents and effective legal writing principles, including preparation of pleadings, legal documents, and briefs utilizing common standards of grammar, punctuation, and style.

This position requires demonstrated skill in:

• Problem solving and critical thinking.
• Using business software applications, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Pro, Outlook, Teams, 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.
• Organize and manage multiple priorities and cases and meet deadlines.
• Negotiation or collaboration techniques.
• Legal research, writing, and analysis.
• Using virtual meeting technology, such as Zoom and Teams, is sufficient to be able to share, review, and communicate information and documents in virtual meetings.

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.
• Use reasoning and logic to identify and solve problems.
• Exercise mature judgment in the analysis of legal problems and prepare sound, clear, logical opinions and express those opinions logically, clearly, and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
• Comprehend and apply the Texas Insurance Code, Texas Labor Code, Texas Government Code, and Texas Administrative Code to distinct fact patterns.
• Apply critical thinking to analyze and solve legal issues and interpret laws and regulations affecting the agency.
• Identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Follow the chain of command and directions.
• Organize and manage multiple priorities and cases and meet deadlines.
• Provide commitment to public service.
• Practice ethically in compliance with all legal and professional standards.

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, 4402, 4410, Lgl10

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

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Legal

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 the CAPPS Career Center to register or log in and access your profile.