Closing Date: 3rd November, 2026
Description:
Description:The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State's legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland's 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
The OAG is seeking an experienced, highly skilled, and mission‑driven attorney to serve as Principal Counsel for the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA). MDOA is leading Maryland's efforts to develop innovative approaches to aging and to expand equitable access to services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities, including through the State's multisector plan for aging. The Department administers federally funded programs under the Older Americans Act of 1965 and State-funded grant programs that serve Maryland's older adults, primarily through grants to a network of 19 local Area Agencies on Aging that deliver direct services statewide. MDOA also regulates Maryland's continuing care retirement communities and continuing care services. In addition, MDOA operates the Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for the health, safety, well-being, and rights of residents in assisted living facilities and nursing homes and for laws, regulations, and policies that protect resident rights and improve their quality of life.
As the primary legal advisor to MDOA, the Principal Counsel delivers legal advice and counsel on a wide range of subjects impacting MDOA's mission, policymaking, and the administration of its grant programs. The Principal Counsel engages regularly with the Secretary of Aging, MDOA's senior leadership, and attorneys in other State agencies. The Principal Counsel is responsible for ensuring that all legal advice provided to MDOA aligns with applicable State and federal laws. Key compliance areas for MDOA include the Older Americans Act, Maryland's continuing care laws, the Maryland Administrative Procedure Act, the Public Information Act, the Open Meetings Act, the Maryland Tort Claims Act, and Maryland finance, procurement, and personnel laws.
The Principal Counsel's day-to-day work includes analyzing and interpreting statutes and regulations and advising on MDOA's regulations, policies and procedures, legislative proposals, procurement and competitive grant solicitations, and transactional agreements (e.g., contracts, grant agreements, memoranda of understanding, interagency agreements, and data use and sharing agreements). The Principal Counsel also represents MDOA in litigation, including contested cases before the Office of Administrative Hearings, petitions for judicial review in circuit court, personnel matters, and tort claims.
The Principal Counsel leads a two-attorney division, supervising, developing and mentoring one Assistant Attorney General, and is responsible for managing the full spectrum of MDOA's legal services and ensuring timely, strategic, and effective legal guidance. Although the division is small, the Principal Counsel is part of a collegial network of attorneys who collaborate on shared legal issues. The Principal Counsel reports to a Deputy Attorney General.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned attorney with strong leadership abilities, a deep commitment to public service, and a passion for protecting vulnerable populations. The work is challenging, meaningful, and directly connected to the safety and well‑being of older Maryland residents.
Classification: Assistant Attorney General VI
Experience: Applicants will have at least ten years of substantive legal experience, strong analytic abilities and interpersonal skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to handle litigation independently. The ideal candidate will have experience advising clients on State government law and administrative procedure, procurement, and grant-making programs; familiarity with the Older Americans Act, long-term care, or other health and human services programs; and prior supervisory experience.
Pro Bono Commitment: The Office of the Attorney General expects its attorneys to demonstrate a sustained commitment to pro bono service. Applicants should have a demonstrated record of meaningful pro bono engagement or a sincere interest in pro bono work as a professional obligation. Once hired, Assistant Attorneys General are expected to fulfill that commitment throughout their employment with the Office through active participation in OAG's Stephen H. Sachs Pro Bono Program or other qualified opportunities. The OAG supports attorneys in meeting the goal set by the Maryland Supreme Court, MD Atty Rules 19-306.1(b), by allowing up to 50 hours work-time to be used for approved pro bono activities. Maryland Bar admission or ability to waive in is required.
Submission: Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of three professional references, including at least one current or former supervisor. Please note that this job posting will come offline at 6:00 p.m. EST on the closing date.
Telework: Hybrid Work – two in-office days weekly.