Assistant Attorney General- Child Protection

State of Maine; Bangor (ME); On-site; USD 75,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Pension plan

Parental leave

Gym reimbursement

Job summary

The State of Maine, Office of the Attorney General in Bangor, seeks a skilled Assistant Attorney General to handle DHHS child protection cases. This full-time role focuses on vigorous litigation, professional communication, and efficient case management in a high-volume practice.

Candidates must be Maine-bar members and bring excellent writing skills, courtroom experience, and willingness to travel. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for appellate

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice in Maine and in good standing
• Experienced litigator with strong writing skills
• Willing to travel regularly and handle remote court proceedings
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and multiple court appearances

Responsibilities

• Litigate DHHS child protection cases in Bangor District Court
• Manage high-volume, expedited and intensive litigation with multiple weekly court appearances
• Provide training for DHHS child welfare staff and perform related legal duties
• Develop litigation strategies quickly after pleadings are filed and participate in appellate writing opportunities

Skills

Litigation

Trial practice

Negotiation

Legal writing

Education

Maine Bar admission

Tools

Remote court proceedings

Job description

Assistant Attorney General Child Protection Division – Bangor

Opening Date: September 11, 2026

Closing Date: September 25, 2026

Job Class Code: 0186

Grade: 1

Salary: $75,067.20 - $145,371.20/year* (Salary competitive and based upon qualifications)*

*Pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 196 the salary for this position has been set by the Office of the Attorney General

Job Description

The Office of the Attorney General is seeking a highly skilled civil litigator to fill a full-time Assistant Attorney General position based in the Bangor office. The primary responsibility of this Assistant Attorney General will be to litigate DHHS child protection cases in the Bangor District Court with potential responsibilities in surrounding courts. Candidates must have well-developed skills in trial practice, motion practice, negotiation, professional communication, time optimization and case management. This position will require a lawyer to handle a high-volume caseload of expedited and intensive litigation, requiring multiple court appearances each week. Multi-day trials are common. The cases often develop from urgent circumstances; requiring the attorney to effectively communicate with the client and develop a litigation strategy within days of the filing of pleadings. This position also performs regular training for DHHS child welfare staff, and other legal work in the child welfare field as assigned by the Division Chief. Applicants who enjoy litigation and have superb legal writing skills are encouraged to apply, as this position may provide opportunities for sophisticated brief writing to those who are qualified and interested in developing as appellate writers.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must be members of the Maine Bar in good standing, who are experienced litigators, excellent writers, willing to travel regularly, able to develop proficiency with remote court proceedings, and have demonstrated that they conduct their professional work in a manner that is thorough, accurate, resourceful, collegial and effective. Skills must be highly developed in all aspects of litigation, client communication, negotiation, time optimization, file management, schedule organization, and use of law office technology. Applicants must adhere the highest standards of legal ethics and civility.

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Maine State Government and the Office of the Attorney General are Equal Opportunity employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Join Maine State Government and Make a Difference in Your Community If you're looking for a fulfilling career that allows you to serve the public and make a difference, consider working with Maine State Government! Our departments boast an array of professions, including attorneys, biologists, correctional officers, equipment operators, engineers, human resources professionals, information technology experts, law enforcement officers, nurses, park rangers, social workers, and transportation workers. With more than 100 agencies, boards, and offices, Maine State Government is the perfect place to explore various industries and interests. Whether you're interested in finance or forestry, there's an opportunity for you to help make Maine an even better place to live.