Closing Date: 18th February, 2025

Description:

Summary of Work:
The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the state of North Dakota, and the Attorney General's Office serves more than 70 state agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as the University System (Chancellor's office) the State Board of Higher Education, and various colleges and universities. In furtherance of its mission to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to officials, agencies, and people of the state of North Dakota, the Civil Litigation Division covers a diverse legal landscape, including social and health services, torts, civil rights, constitutional law, prisoner litigation, and labor law.

An attorney hired for this position will provide zealous and diligent litigation advocacy and representation to State agencies and officials, as assigned. This position, in addition to handling general civil litigation as assigned, assists with representation of the Department of Health and Human Services (the “Department”) in administrative proceedings related to the Department's economic and non-economic programs. This representation includes advocacy on behalf of the Department defending decisions as to Medicaid coverage and recovering Medicaid payments, administrative child protection proceedings, daycare and foster licensing, and the representation of Department staff in miscellaneous legal proceedings. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to represent the Department and other State agencies in the area of appellate advocacy including handling cases in front of the North Dakota Supreme Court. Typical duties for this position include substantive litigation case work with the following tasks:
  • Initial file review and strategic analysis;
  • Client communication, including specific requests for guidance and more general updates;
  • Substantive work such as legal research, writing, discovery, motion practice, and hearing preparation;
  • Seeking additional information such as consulting secondary sources; and
  • Administrative case management duties such as filing letters, emails, updating status reports, regularly reviewing cases, arranging for administrative help.

Division staff are also given the opportunity to participate in local, regional, and national training courses for topics such as advanced trial skills, depositions, appellate advocacy, e-discovery, and negotiations.

In addition to the monthly salary, this position includes fully paid health insurance for employee and family, the option to participate in employee-paid dental and vision for employee and family, participation in the state NDPERS defined contribution retirement plan as well as the option to participate in the 457 deferred compensation plan, the option to contribute to a medical spending account, and earning annual and sick leave.

Location of Work:
The Division office is centrally located in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Licensed to practice law in North Dakota, or the expectation of imminent admission to the North Dakota bar.
  • High ethical standards; clean discipline record.
  • Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Interpersonal skills needed to work well with clients, colleagues, and the public.
  • The judgment, reliability, and willingness to devote time and energy necessary to provide excellent legal services to the State of North Dakota.
  • Ability, demonstrated in previous employment experience or otherwise shown, to establish and maintain effective, harmonious working relationships with clients, colleagues, and supervisors.
  • Excellent time management and organization skills.
  • Proven ability or potential to do excellent legal work in the areas of legal research and writing, negotiation, and client advise.
  • Successful completion of the interview process, reference checks, and standard background and criminal record checks to determine knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform assistant attorney general tasks.