Assistant Attorney General

State of North Carolina; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Justice seeks an Attorney II (NS) to join the Appellate and Post-Conviction Section. The attorney will research, draft, and argue complex criminal appeals before the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and represent the State in federal habeas proceedings.

Minimum qualifications include a law license in NC and at least one year of professional experience. Travel is possible as required by the position.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and one year of professional legal experience.
• Experience in appellate and post-conviction work is preferred.
• Strong research and writing skills for complex criminal appeals.

Responsibilities

• Research and prepare briefs and oral arguments before NC appellate courts.
• Represent the state in federal habeas proceedings.
• Assist and advise prosecutors and other DOJ attorneys.
• Perform all duties of the Appellate and Post-Conviction Section.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Appellate practice

Litigation

Federal habeas

Education

Juris Doctor

State Bar license

Job description

Agency

Dept of Justice

Division

DOJ Legal Services

Job Classification Title

Attorney II (NS)

Position Number

60010179

Grade

LG07

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Justice, led by the Attorney General of North Carolina, represents the state, state agencies, and elected officials, and defends the rights of the people of North Carolina. The Department handles all state criminal appeals cases and assists district attorneys with complex criminal cases at their request. Additionally, the Department of Justice includes the North Carolina State Crime Lab, the North Carolina Justice Academy, and the Sheriffs’ and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Divisions.

Description of Work

Recruitment Range: $73,208 - $90,763

This posting is for the following two positions: 60010179 & 60010181.
You only need to apply once to be considered for both positions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date listed.

This position will:

• Research and prepare the State’s briefs and other appellate filings and present oral argument in difficult and complex criminal cases before the Supreme Court of North Carolina and the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
• Represent the state in federal habeas proceedings in the federal courts.
• Assist and advise NCDOJ attorneys and NC prosecutors.
• Complete all other duties and responsibilities of the Appellate and Post-Conviction Section.

Some travel, including some occasional overnight stays are required

The Appellate and Post-Conviction Section of the Criminal Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice is to represent the State in criminal matters after a defendant’s trial is completed. This includes: (1) direct appeals of criminal convictions in any of the judicial districts of the State before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of North Carolina as well as state post-conviction petitions filed in the State Appellate Courts;(2) to research and prepare the State’s briefs and present oral argument in federal habeas corpus litigation in the federal district courts and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; (3)the attorneys in the section handle the most difficult and complex criminal appeals and petitions, and therefore, because of their expertise, also serve as resources for all of the attorneys in the Department of Justice who handle occasional criminal appeals as part of their duties through the criminal brief rotation; (4) the section attorneys also represent the State of North Carolina in capital (death penalty) litigation, particularly at the state and federal post-conviction levels before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of the United States, and the lower federal courts; (5) assist District Attorneys in all aspects of such state capital litigation, both at trial and in post-conviction proceedings; (6) act as liaison with Attorneys General and prosecutors on criminal law issues; (7) the section attorneys represent the State in non-capital state post-conviction petitions filed upon request of the District Attorneys and approval of the Criminal Bureau Chief; (8) the section also has the responsibility to defend against non-capital federal habeas corpus actions filed in federal courts by State prisoners seeking to overturn their North Carolina state court convictions, and thereby prevent expensive and time-consuming retrials or the premature release of criminals who cannot be retried.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Ability to gain knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, and criminal appellate procedure, as found in state statutes, state and federal case law, and state and federal court rules.

Ability to gain knowledge of federal habeas law and procedure in non-capital cases.

Ability to conduct civil or criminal litigation.

Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written form.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and one year of professional legal experience. NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

The North Carolina Department of Justice, includes the North Carolina State Crime Lab, the North Carolina Justice Academy,and the Sheriffs’and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Divisions.

The State of North Carolina offers employer paid health insurance plus twelve paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at Employee Benefits.

Credit for foreign degrees will only be given if verification of degree certification is attached to your application. Transcripts for foreign degrees have to be evaluated by an organization like World Education Services to determine US equivalency.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

NC Department of Justice
Human Resources
[e-mail]

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Wendy K Minich

Recruiter Email:

[e-mail]