SOS – Attorney III

NOTE: Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the application.

This position performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work for the Business & Government Filings Division of the Office of the Texas Secretary of State (SOS). 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. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position reports to the Managing Attorney, Business and Government Filings.

• 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 violations 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 makes public presentations.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

• 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.

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Minimum of two (2) years of legal experience in the following areas:
• Ability to perform legal research, analysis, and writing, including experience in use of legal research software, namely, Lexis Nexis.
• Ability to handle multiple…