Assistant Attorney General - Highways and Utilities

State of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 127,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

State of Utah, Office of the Attorney General, is seeking an attorney to provide general legal assistance to the Department of Public Safety, including representation for administrative actions. This full-time position requires five years of legal experience, DUI knowledge, and Utah Bar admission.

The role involves advising DPS entities in administrative and judicial venues, handling discovery, drafting legal materials, and offering expert counsel. Travel statewide for bench trials is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of legal experience; DUI, government, or administrative law background preferred.
• Active membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing is required.
• Ability to provide general counsel advice to government agency clients.
• Experience representing public agencies and statewide caseload ability.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent DPS and DLD in judicial reviews of administrative actions.
• Provide consultation, make recommendations and facilitate decisions.
• Determine needs in discovery and respond to requests.
• Write or draft correspondence, reports, and administrative materials.
• Advise and represent DPS agencies in GRAMA requests and Records Office hearings.
• Travel statewide for bench trials; may require overnight stays.

Skills

Advocacy

Written & oral advocacy

Legal analysis

Communication

GRAMA knowledge

Public ethics law

Case law interpretation

Government law

Education

Juris Doctorate

Active Utah State Bar member

Job description

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

Salary – $61.08 - $89.24 Hourly Wage

Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site

• This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received.

Key Responsibilities

The Highways & Utilities Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office has an immediate opening for an attorney to provide general legal assistance to the Department of Public Safety in including representation for administrative actions. This is a full-time, career service position with benefits.

This position requires a minimum of five years of legal experience, with DUI knowledge, government, or administrative law background preferred.

Work will include advising and representing various DPS entities in both administrative and judicial venues, specifically including Driver License Division and DUI license actions in District Court. This position requires excellent written and oral advocacy skills. Applicants must be able to provide general counsel advice to government agency clients. Knowledge of GRAMA, contracts, and public ethics law is helpful. Applicants must have the experience and ability to immediately take over an existing statewide caseload. Membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing is required.

Applicants should clearly describe in a cover letter their experience representing a public agency and any experience regarding DUI cases or working with government agencies and law enforcement.

Example Of Duties

• Represents DPS and DLD in judicial reviews of administrative actions.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions.
• Determine needs in discovery, and/or complete discovery and address other needs to respond to discovery requests.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents, administrative rules, and/or other written materials.
• Receives, researches, and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Provides legal services to all agencies within DPS.
• Advises and represents DPS agencies responding to GRAMA requests and Records Office Hearings.
• Required to travel statewide for bench trials and may stay overnight.

Qualifications

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry in position)

• A Juris Doctorate is required
• Active membership in the Utah State Bar
• communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
• read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
• knowledge of legal processes and administrative procedures
• knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
• knowledge of courtroom procedures and evidence presentation
• understand and apply case and statutory law
• evaluate information against a set of standards
• use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
• knowledge of state and local government structure, laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
• perform legal analysis using case law and appropriate statutes
• laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
• make decisions and solve problems by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
• deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
• provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
• knowledge of Rules of Evidence
• interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
• knowledge of principles, theories , and practices of government law and representation of government agencies

Supplemental Information

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending the satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Must be able to travel as required.
• Attorneys are hired at a salary consistent with their experience-level-peers in non-supervisory position as outlined below:

Bar Year

2026-2024

$61.08

$127,046.40

2023-2021

$64.44

$134,035.20

2020-2018

$68.18

$141,814.40

2017-2013

$72.11

$149,988.80

2012-2008

$73.02

$151,881.60

2007-2003

$75.02

$156,041.60

2002

$76.55

$159,224.00

2001-1998

$78.10

$162,448.00

1997-1993

$80.80

$168,064.00

1992

$81.47

$169,457.60

1991-1988

$83.20

$173,056.00

1987

$85.03

$176,862.40

1986-1983

$86.44

$179,795.20

1981 and Prior

$89.24

$185,619.20

Location

160 East 300 South

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111

United States

Background Check Required

You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required

No

Schedule Code

AG - Employees at the Attorney General's Office

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah , Other benefits may include:

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Office of the Utah Attorney General

If you are looking to make a meaningful impact while working in a dynamic, fast-paced legal environment, the Attorney General’s Office offers a unique opportunity. As counselors, protectors, and stewards, the Office plays a vital role in defending both the U.S. and Utah constitutions, protecting residents, and preserving the resources that make Utah special. You’ll contribute to upholding justice, advising state agencies, and safeguarding the rights and interests of Utah’s citizens. With responsibilities ranging from prosecuting corporate misconduct to enforcing public lands policy and supporting children’s justice initiatives, your work here will be both diverse and rewarding. Join a team dedicated to serving the public and advancing the cause of justice in Utah.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].