Assistant Solicitor General - Civil Appeals

Closing Date: 8th October, 2026

Description:

Key Responsibilities:
The Civil Appeals Division of the Utah Attorney General's Office has an opening for an attorney to represent state government entities and officials in civil appeals. The attorney will carry a substantial appellate case load, draft briefs, present oral argument, supervise other appellate matters, review and edit briefs and pleadings, and provide legal advice about relevant aspects of Utah statutory, common, administrative law and federal law and procedure.

At a minimum, the position requires excellent analytical, writing and oral advocacy skills, familiarity with rules of appellate procedure, proficiency with proper legal citation rules, and the ability to provide and accept constructive edits of work product. The attorney must also be able to maintain a collegial work environment. Strong preference will be given for applicants with appellate experience and/or prior appellate judicial clerkships.

The attorney must be an active member of the Utah State Bar in good standing. Occasional travel may be required as the attorney may represent the State before the Tenth Circuit in Denver, Colorado and in appellate and other civil legal proceedings that may, from time to time, occur outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Responsibilities:

• draft appellate briefs and other filings
• present oral argument in state and federal appellate courts
• conduct legal research related to the attorney's cases and other appellate matters in the Office
• consult with clients and trial counsel, make recommendations, give appropriate advice, respond to questions, and/or facilitate decisions related to appeals and potential appeals
• participate in mediations and settlement negotiations
• participate in mock arguments and strategy sessions to prepare cases for oral argument
• edit, revise, and cite check briefs written by other attorneys
• may be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight

Qualifications:
(the successful applicant must be able to do the following upon entry into position or be able to be trained to do the following within a reasonable time after entry into position)

• a Juris Doctorate is required
• maintain active membership in the Utah State Bar.
• communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
• research, interpret and apply caselaw, statutes, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
• know applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
• 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, propose solutions, and make decisions
• understand laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
• interact with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
• know rules of evidence and civil and appellate procedure
• interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
• understand principles, theories, and practices of administrative law
• supervise, lead or functionally supervise others by assigning/directing work; training, mentoring & development

Supplemental Information:
A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation

Must be able to travel as required

About the role:

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