Closing Date: 12th May, 2026

Description:

https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/attorneygeneral/employment/aag-criminal-appeals.html

Employees may be eligible to work remotely two days per week after six months of full-time employment.

Background Check: This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who We Are And What We Do:
The Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter represent all state officials, employees, agencies, departments, boards, and commissions in matters arising from their public duties. Such representation includes litigation, transactional assistance, and general legal advice to a wide variety of State entities. The Attorney General's Office employs approximately 200 attorneys organized into 22 legal divisions within 5 sections.

The Criminal Appeals Division handles all appellate matters involved in procuring and then defending criminal judgments in the State's appellate courts. Division attorneys are responsible for interlocutory, extraordinary, direct, and post-conviction appeals, and for defending state criminal judgments in state habeas corpus proceedings in both the trial and appellate courts. Division attorneys are also responsible for defending against collateral attacks filed in the trial courts by death-row inmates. The division has a team of attorneys who work with the Governor's legal counsel and Department of Correction attorneys in dealing with extradition and detainer matters. Division attorneys also spend a great deal of time advising District Attorneys General and their assistants and helping them work through complex legal issues.

Job Overview:
The successful applicant will:

Conduct deep legal research on issues of criminal law
Write appellate briefs in criminal cases
Orally argue criminal cases in state appellate courts
Litigate collateral-review matters in state trial courts
Participate in moot courts for your own cases and others¿
Consult with crime victims and update victim liaisons about case status
Write legal memorandum recommending courses of action in appellate litigation
Maintain physical and electronic case files
Handle confidential materials
Work seamlessly with support staff and leadership staff
Seek, receive, and follow constructive feedback
Serve on office committees as needed
Work independently and as a member of a team
Attend regular staff meetings and share case updates at those meetings
Compile monthly work reports

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate Degree
Be eligible to practice law in Tennessee or eligible to take the Tennessee bar exam
Have outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Be proficient with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and general online records management