Assistant Attorney General/Appellate Lawyer

First review of applicants will be June 7th, 2018.

Mission: Every day at the Montana Department of Justice, our employees are dedicated to ensuring the well-being and rights of the people of our great state. At the Department of Justice we do the right thing for the right reason. If you’re looking for an opportunity to be part of a team that builds a culture of character and excellence, demonstrates collaboration and selfless public service, and upholds the law and pursues public safety, the Department of Justice may just be the career for you.

Please take a moment and watch the linked video to learn how the Department of Justice serves the citizens of Montana.

Job Overview: This is an attorney position in the Appellate Services Bureau. The incumbent is expected to independently handle all phases of litigation, from district court proceedings to U.S. Supreme Court appeals. These cases frequently involve constitutional challenges or issues of first impression. Federal habeas litigation may require an evidentiary hearing to reconstruct events that happened years before.

Agency Litigation: Represents the State of Montana in criminal cases, post conviction proceedings, child abuse and neglect cases, and involuntary commitment matters appealed to the Montana Supreme Court or United States Supreme Court. These cases originate in the district court by the city or county attorneys’ offices. These cases involve multiple issues, often of first impression, or involving constitutional challenges, and case outcomes often have statewide, and possibly national, significance. Appears personally before the Montana Supreme Court in cases set for oral argument. Attorney works completely independently on these projects, with virtually complete discretion about litigation strategy.

Represents the State of Montana in complex federal habeas corpus litigation. These cases require superior knowledge of applicable procedural defenses that are unique to federal habeas corpus litigation. Some cases involve an evidentiary hearing in federal court, which necessarily entails reconstruction of complex factual situations years after they have occurred. A favorable ruling in federal district court will likely lead to briefing and oral argument before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Evidentiary hearings and oral arguments frequently require travel, often out-of-state. If the ruling is adverse, the attorney makes a recommendation to the bureau chief about whether to appeal. Attorney is expected to handle all phases of litigation independently.

Represents the State of Montana in state habeas corpus litigation and petitions for writs of supervisory control or other extraordinary writs filed in the Montana Supreme Court. Some of these cases require specialized knowledge of procedural defenses applicable and unique to post conviction and habeas litigation. Works completely independently on these projects.


Qualifications:


• Graduation from college and an accredited law school.

• Membership in good standing in the State Bar of Montana.

• Prefer 3 or more years progressively responsible experience in the practice of law.

*A training assignment is available for any candidates that do not meet the minimum qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY:

You are REQUIRED to attach a cover letter, resume and a writing sample of 3000 words or less, from a document or portion thereof, prepared within the last three years at the time of application.

In your resume, include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties and dates of employment (month & year - start & end), including reason for leaving.

A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and electronically attach the cover letter and resume in order to be considered for this position. Failure to attach the cover letter, resume, and writing sample will result in your application being incomplete and will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an email with instructions on how to submit such documents. If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

(When attaching a document, you must check the, “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploaded correctly to your application. Failure to attach the required material will conclude in an incomplete application. You must also keep the relevant boxes checked once you submit your application; if you uncheck the box with an active application it will delete the attachment.)

Special Instructions : The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but not limited to, an evaluation of the resume and cover letter, a writing sample, a structured interview, performance test, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

*Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

• Fingerprint Check


Eligible Training Assignment:

36.78