TDI-Law Clerk

Do you have a passion for public state service and enjoy making a difference? The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is hiring! We regulate the insurance industry, administer the Texas workers’ compensation system, and educate and protect consumers. Apply now if you’re looking for a rewarding career in public service. The Texas Department of Insurance is 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 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:

TDI does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.

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

Law Clerk (Intern)

Develop your skills with a dynamic team of legal professionals at TDI. With $293 billion in premiums, Texas is the nation’s second largest insurance market and the fifth largest in the world. The General Counsel Division of TDI is hiring a law clerk to support TDI in areas such as health market regulation, homeowners and auto policies, insurance rates, and general counsel practice areas such as employment, contracts, administrative law, litigation, and open records. You will be at the forefront of insurance regulation and have the chance to shape policies and regulations that impact the daily lives of Texans.

This full-time, paid position provides a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the various types of legal careers within TDI, including administrative rule making, financial oversight of insurance companies, and open government. Through this position, you will build your professional and communications skills and receive hands-on experience in a variety of practice areas. This temporary, full-time position is in Austin and will begin in late May and end in mid-August (dates are negotiable).

The General Counsel Division provides training and a positive, collaborative work culture in which to gain practical legal knowledge and skills. An ideal candidate will have excellent legal research and writing skills, the ability to interpret state and federal laws and apply them to novel legal problems, and the ability to draft thorough and plain language legal documents. The candidate will be detail-oriented and an excellent communicator, with good collaboration skills and judgment in the analysis of legal risks. The ideal candidate will show a willingness and ability to take on new challenges and subject matter.

This position:

·       Conducts legal research and prepares legal opinions and briefs.

·       Assists attorneys in providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance to various program areas and management.

·       Researches and interprets state statutes, agency regulations, and federal laws.

·       Drafts administrative rules, orders, and other legal documents.

·       Provides general legal support such as scanning, organizing hearing notebooks, redacting confidential information for document production, and reviewing and editing documents.

·       Performs other duties as assigned.

This position requires: 

·       Enrolled in an accredited law school or graduation from an accredited law school with a JD Or LL.B.

·       Completion of a minimum of four semesters of law school. (Transcripts required with application).

·       6 months of legal experience.

·       Education and experience relevant to position requirements may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis. 

Additional job details:

·       Resume, writing sample, and cover letter must be submitted with the application.

Preferences for this position include:

·       Demonstrated knowledge of administrative law.

·       Experience researching and drafting legal memoranda.

This position requires demonstrated knowledge of:

·       State laws, rules, procedures, and regulations relevant to job requirements.

·       Legal principles, practices, and proceedings.

·       Caseload management techniques, including prioritization, decision-making, and collaboration.

·       Legal research, analysis, and drafting techniques.

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.

·       Planning, decision-making, and problem-solving.

·       Effective oral and verbal communication.

·       Working effectively with coworkers, mentor attorneys, subject matter experts, and management.

·       Tactful communications; both verbal and written.

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.

·       Apply critical thinking to analyze and solve legal issues.

·       Exercise good judgment in the analysis of legal problems and prepare sound, clear opinions.

·       Deal tactfully and professionally with the public, coworkers, agency staff, and industry representatives.

·       Interpret laws and regulations affecting the agency.

·       Manage time to effectively manage projects to a successful and timely conclusion.

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 required 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, LN, 250K, 655X, LGL10, 4402, 5J0X1, 51JX

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:

You may apply through CAPPS Career Center or Work in Texas (WIT).

The following information is required with your submission. Your submission must include complete:

·       Employment history (month and year).

·       Duties and responsibilities.

·       Education.

·       Certifications.

·       Licenses.

·       Supplemental questions (if applicable)*.

We may reject submissions that do not include all the required information.

*If you are applying through WIT, log into CAPPS Career Center to access supplemental questions and review your submission.