Assistant Attorney General – Criminal Prosecutor

Office of the Minnesota Attorney General; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 83,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison is seeking an experienced prosecutor for the Criminal Division. The Criminal Division prosecutes complex felony cases statewide, from investigation through trial, and provides training to law enforcement and county attorney offices.

A successful candidate will handle criminal cases in district courts, demonstrate strong motion practice and trial skills, be able to travel across Minnesota, and work in a collaborative, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school and license to practice in Minnesota.
• Six years of criminal law experience as a prosecutor or defense attorney; appellate work is acceptable.
• Ability to travel across the state and handle diverse cases with strong communication and research skills.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute criminal cases from investigation through trial in the district courts.
• Provide training to law enforcement, county attorneys and related agencies; collaborate on appellate matters.
• Manage an active caseload, maintain deadlines, and work in a collaborative team environment.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Legal research

Trial strategy

Travel flexibility

Multitasking

Education

ABA-accredited law school

Minnesota bar license

Tools

Case management tools

Job description

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicants

Date Posted: 2/9/2023

Closing Date: Priority given to those that apply by 02/24/2023. 05/30/2023 is the last day to apply.

S2 Salary Range: $83,094 annually - $122,809 annually

S3 Salary Range: $93,480 annually - $151,116 annually

Job Summary

The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison — one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and recognized as a 2022 Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota and 2023 Top Workplace USA — has a clear mission: we help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect. We are a dynamic group of dedicated professionals who could all work elsewhere but choose public service as a calling, and we are actively building an internal culture that supports that calling.

The Office is currently seeking an experienced prosecutor in our Criminal Division.

The Criminal Division prosecutes complex felony cases at the request of county attorneys throughout the State of Minnesota. Prosecutors handle criminal cases from the investigation stage through trial and may also appear in postconviction matters. The prosecutors provide training to law enforcement agencies, county attorney offices, and other agencies involved in the criminal justice system. The Criminal Division employs paralegals to assist with the cases. The Criminal Division also has numerous attorneys who handle felony appeals for counties throughout the State and the prosecutors and appellate attorneys often collaborate with each other on issues that arise in both kinds of cases.

A successful candidate for this position should:

• Have extensive experience in handling criminal cases in the district courts
• Demonstrate excellent skills in motion practice, trial strategy, witness preparation, and trials
• Be able to travel periodically throughout Minnesota, as cases can be venued anywhere in the state
• Contribute positively to a team and interact successfully with clients and members of the public
• Be able to litigate independently and make strategic legal decisions on a diverse caseload
• Multitask by managing an active caseload and meeting tight deadlines
• Work in an inclusive, creative, and collaborative work environment

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the ABA and license to practice in the State of Minnesota
• Six (6) years of experience practicing criminal law as a prosecutor or defense attorney; and/or equivalent time in other legal areas as an appellate practitioner
• Ability to travel to counties across the state
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Strong research, analytical, and trial strategy skills

Along with a cover letter, applicants must also submit a writing sample of up to 5 pages.

To be considered at the S3 level, candidates must have 12 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of experience practicing criminal law as a prosecutor or defense attorney; and/or equivalent time in other legal areas as an appellate practitioner
• Experience using electronic files and case management tools