Legal OPT Jobs in Texas
F-1 OPT legal jobs in Texas are concentrated in Houston, Dallas, and Austin, where major law firms like Baker Botts, Vinson & Elkins, and Haynes and Boone, alongside in-house legal departments at energy, technology, and healthcare companies, regularly hire international graduates in paralegal, legal analyst, and compliance roles.
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OAG - Special Litigation | Assistant Attorney General III-IV | 26-0514 (00058476)
Organization: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Primary Location: Texas-Austin
Work Locations: Special Litigation 209 W. 14th St Austin 78701
Job: Legal
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
State Job Code: 3512 3513
Salary Admin Plan: B
Grade: 26 28
Salary (Pay Basis): 7,991.67 - 9,843.75 (Monthly)
Number of Openings: 1
Overtime Status: Exempt
Job Posting: May 15, 2026, 11:53:25 AM
Closing Date: Ongoing
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is seeking experienced civil litigators to join its Special Litigation Division (SLD). SLD, created in 2015 by Attorney General Ken Paxton, handles and coordinates high-profile, high-impact litigation for the State of Texas. Its primary focus is affirmative litigation to enforce the limits of government authority. Assistant Attorneys General in SLD are typically also appointed as Special Counsel and are responsible for litigating complex cases on a variety of subjects, from pre-filing research to appeal, in both state and federal court. SLD personnel collaborate frequently with other OAG divisions and advise, counsel, and assist client state agencies and OAG’s executive leadership.
The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas. As the State’s law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans. Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) experience the challenge and honor of public service, flexible work schedules, a healthy work-life balance, hands-on legal experience, and camaraderie with other talented OAG staff.
ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS
Assistant Attorney General III:
- Represents the state’s interest as counsel in all stages of significant, high-profile, and complex multi-divisional litigation matters involving a variety of legal areas at the pretrial, trial, and appellate level in both state and federal court by performing tasks that include conducting discovery; preparing legal documents (e.g., pleadings, briefs, memoranda); attending and participating actively in hearings and trials; and coordinating with other governmental bodies
- Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance to client state agencies and the agency’s Executive Administration on significant, multi-divisional litigation matters
- Oversees the preparation of cases for trial
- Oversees the analysis of factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery
- Represents the State’s interest in litigation matters
- Advises clients and management on factual and legal issues
- Drafts bills and amendments for legislative consideration
- Performs related work as assigned
- Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
- Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
- Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
- Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity
Assistant Attorney General IV – All of the above functions for an Assistant Attorney General III, PLUS:
- With approval from Executive Administration and Agency Press Office, may represent the agency publicly at designated events (e.g., press conferences, meetings, public announcements) regarding significant, high-profile, and complex multi-divisional litigation matters
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant Attorney General III:
- Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
- Experience: Two years of full-time litigation experience as a licensed attorney
- Licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas
- Must be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas by start date.
- Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; and of state and federal laws, regulations, and rules
- Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in conducting investigations; in mediation and negotiations; in using reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; in using judgment to identify courses of action; and in the use of a computer and applicable software
- Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
- Ability to prepare legal documents, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize findings, to prepare cases and present at trial, to conduct hearings, to communicate effectively, and to supervise the work of others
- Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines
- Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
- Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
- Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
- Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 5%
Assistant Attorney General IV – All of the above qualifications for an Assistant Attorney General III, PLUS:
- Experience: One additional year of full-time litigation experience
- Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
- Skill in effective oral and written communication
- Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG workspace within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless otherwise approved)
- Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with the Federal Administrative Procedure Act
- Experience analyzing issues of Federal and State Constitutional Law
- Federal or State Court Clerkship
TO APPLY
To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at the provided link.
THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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Search Legal Jobs in TexasLegal OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
Which legal companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Texas?
Large Texas-headquartered law firms such as Baker Botts, Vinson & Elkins, and Haynes and Boone have hired international graduates on OPT in legal support and research roles. In-house legal teams at major corporations in the energy sector (ExxonMobil, Chevron), healthcare, and technology also sponsor OPT workers. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and varies by firm size, role, and hiring cycle.
Which cities in Texas have the most legal F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Houston leads for legal OPT opportunities, driven by energy-sector corporations and a dense concentration of AmLaw 100 firms with local offices. Dallas follows closely, with strong demand in corporate law, financial services compliance, and real estate legal work. Austin is growing rapidly in technology-adjacent legal roles, particularly contracts management and regulatory compliance at tech companies.
What types of legal roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Texas?
Roles that most commonly align with OPT authorization in the legal industry include paralegal, legal research analyst, compliance analyst, contracts administrator, and regulatory affairs specialist. These positions typically require a degree in law, legal studies, paralegal studies, or a related field. Practicing as a licensed attorney on OPT is not possible without Texas bar admission, so most OPT hires fill support and research functions.
How do I find legal F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Texas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by visa type, state, and industry, making it straightforward to browse legal F-1 OPT roles in Texas without sifting through listings that do not offer sponsorship. Beyond the job board, target Houston and Dallas firms directly through their careers pages, and connect with your university's law or pre-law career center, which often maintains employer relationships with Texas firms that hire OPT candidates.
Are there any Texas-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the legal industry?
Texas does not impose state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal OPT rules, but the legal industry adds one important layer: the Texas Unauthorized Practice of Law statute means OPT holders cannot provide legal advice or represent clients unless licensed by the State Bar of Texas. Most employers structure OPT roles as non-practicing positions. OPT STEM extension is generally not available for standard legal studies degrees, so tracking your OPT end date carefully matters more in this field.