Assistant Attorney General - Appellate Division

State Bar of South Dakota; South Dakota; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Health insurance

Paid leave

Job summary

Office of the Attorney General in Pierre, SD is seeking an Assistant Attorney General for the Appellate Division. The role focuses on briefing and arguing before the SD Supreme Court, U.S.

District Court, and the Eighth Circuit, handling criminal appeals, habeas cases, and licensing-board prosecutions. The AAG will draft appellate briefs, present oral arguments, and work in a collaborative, mentorship-rich environment with minimal billable-hour pressure.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in South Dakota or able to obtain licensure promptly.
• Excellent writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Research and write appellate briefs for reviewing courts.
• Orally argue cases in appellate and other courts.
• Represent the state in criminal appeals, habeas cases, and as a prosecutor for state boards.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Writing

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Job Title

Assistant Attorney General - Appellate Division

Agency

Office of the Attorney General

Location

Pierre, SD

Salary

$85,000 - $115, 000 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade

L1 - L2

Contract Type

Full-time position (This is a full-time position with the Office of the Attorney General.)

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Job Overview

The Office of Attorney General has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in our Appellate Division. This position presents an unmatched opportunity to brief and argue cases before the South Dakota Supreme Court, United States District Court, and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The attorney chosen for this spot will represent the state in criminal appeals, habeas cases, and as a prosecutor for various state licensing boards. The position’s primary duties include researching for and writing appellate briefs and orally arguing cases. AAGs in South Dakota have diverse opportunities attorneys cannot find elsewhere in the state, without the stress of billable hours, and with the benefit of a collaborative, friendly work environment.

Mentorship and Professional Development

The office is committed to developing top-notch attorneys. The attorney in this position will receive hands-on experience, direct mentoring from senior attorneys, occasions to work on diverse and evolving caseloads, paid training opportunities, and exposure to complex legal and evidentiary issues.

Office Location

The Appellate Division is headquartered in Pierre - "best place to live" in South Dakota according to USA Today in 2018. Pierre is a safe, tight-knit community with over 350 acres of parks, serene landscapes, highly rated restaurants, water and dog parks, friendly people, and an affordable cost of living. A highly experienced applicant may have the possibility to work from a branch office location.

Starting Salary

Salary for this position ranges from $85,000 to $115,000 annually, depending on experience. On top of a set salary, the State of South Dakota has an exceptional benefit package including retirement, health insurance, paid leave, and paid training opportunities. More information on our benefits package can be found at: http://bhr.sd.gov.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a juris doctorate from an accredited law school, be licensed to practice law in South Dakota or can promptly obtain licensure, and have excellent writing, research, and oral advocacy skills. Assistant Attorneys General must uphold the highest degrees of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.

Eligibility and Compliance

• This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.
• This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
• Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.
• Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.
• The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees.
• All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

Benefits

• The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits.

Contact Details

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Employer

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

Information

For more information on the Office of the Attorney General, please visit http://atg.sd.gov.