Description:

The Utah Office of the Attorney General has an opening for an attorney in the Constitutional Defense and Special Litigation Section (CDSL). The incumbent in this position defends lawsuits that challenge the constitutionality of Utah laws and regulations.

Membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing is required. This position requires excellent written and oral advocacy skills and should have the experience and ability to immediately take over an existing caseload. Appellate experience is desirable, but not required. Some travel may be required.
This position will be open until filled and may close without notice.*

Example of Duties:

Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions.
Determines discovery needs, and/or completes discovery; participates in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used.
Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
Represents the state, government official, or the employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, negotiations, complaints and/or other matters.
Drafts working documents; prepares documents consisting of concise decisions based upon facts of case interpretations of law and compliance with state and federal standards.
Conducts conferences with defendants and/or attorneys, negotiates settlements, and testifies in court.
Conducts, or represents agency at formal or informal hearings and/or trials.
Testifies before Legislative committees.
Consults with members of the Legislature, Legislative counsel, and Executive officials.
May be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight.

Typical Qualifications:
(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

agency and/or organizational program(s)
communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
legal processes and procedures
applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
civil and criminal justice laws
understand and apply case and statutory law
evaluate information against a set of standards
use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques
laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
make a decision or solve a problem by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
rules of evidence and civil and/or criminal procedure
interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
principles, theories, and practices of judicial or administrative law