Assistant Attorney General (Special Litigation Unit)

Oregon Department of Justice; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 101,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Justice's Special Litigation Unit in Portland seeks an experienced Assistant Attorney General to manage complex civil litigation. You will handle high‑profile cases, supervise discovery, conduct depositions, and work closely with state agencies and the Attorney General’s Office.

This role demands strong brief-writing and oral advocacy, experience in civil litigation, and willingness to travel throughout Oregon for court appearances.

Qualifications

• At least three (3) years of experience in civil litigation.
• Willingness and availability to travel throughout the State for court appearances and other case-related work, including overnight stays.
• Active membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar prior to appointment or reciprocity in progress at the time of application.
• Additional preferred qualifications include five (5) years of civil litigation experience and experience with complex civil litigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex civil cases and manage a high-intensity caseload.
• Identify and interview expert and lay witnesses and take and defend depositions.
• Supervise and manage extensive discovery and conduct motion practice.
• Coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office and state agency leaders on litigation strategy.

Skills

Civil litigation

Oral advocacy

Legal research

Tools

Oregon State Bar admission

Job description

Position Title Assistant Attorney General (Special Litigation Unit)

Initial Posting Date 07/27/2026

Application Deadline 08/18/2026

Agency Department of Justice

Salary Range $9,063 - $17,597

Position Type Employee

Job Description

The Trial Division is seeking an outstanding lawyer to join the Department of Justice's Special Litigation Unit (SLU) in the Portland office to handle complex and high‑profile litigation. SLU handles some of the most interesting and challenging litigation in the State. Its lawyers defend state statutes and policies against constitutional challenges in state and federal courts. They also handle complex class‑action lawsuits, elections litigation, environmental litigation, and other high‑profile or sensitive matters in which the State, its agencies, and its employees may be plaintiffs or defendants. In recent years, SLU has handled major environmental disputes with millions and even billions of dollars at stake. It has represented the Secretary of State in challenges to election laws and rules. It has prevented efforts to limit agencies’ ability to communicate to the public information about environmental concerns in the state, and has represented the State in federal court over the proper management of Oregon’s salmon under the Endangered Species Act. SLU attorneys regularly litigate First Amendment and other constitutional issues that many attorneys outside of DOJ see only rarely. They also work closely with senior state officials, including department directors and elected officials, to handle litigation that challenges the work of those agencies.
SLU’s current need is for an experienced litigator who can lead complex civil cases. If selected, you will be responsible for handling a high‑intensity caseload, working closely with the Attorney General’s office and the leaders of state agencies, handling extensive motion practice, identifying and interviewing expert and lay witnesses, taking and defending depositions, supervising and examining voluminous discovery, and trying cases.

Questions regarding this position may be directed to Jose Klein, Chief Trial Counsel, by e‑mail at [e-mail] or at 503‑385‑6635; or Carla Scott, SLU Attorney‑in‑Charge, at 503‑798‑1664.

Required

• At least three (3) years of experience in civil litigation.
• Willingness and availability to travel throughout the State for court appearances and other case‑related work, including overnight stays away from home.
• Active membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar prior to appointment or reciprocity in progress at the time of application.

Requested

• At least five (5) years of experience in civil litigation.
• Significant experience with complex civil litigation
• Experience with environmental law, constitutional claims, elections law, or legally complex civil actions.
• Experience working on a variety of cases involving diverse subject matter and areas of law.
• Experience in writing complex briefs and arguing those issues in state and federal court.
• Extremely strong legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to balance frequent court appearances and an active motions practice while maintaining excellent client communication.
• Experience communicating directly with clients and managing multiple client relationships.

Additional applicant screening will depend on the number of qualified applications received. Applicants most closely matching the requirements and needs of the position will be invited to interview. If you are selected to interview and require particular accommodation during the interview, please inform the person scheduling the interview.

This OAJA‑represented position will be filled at either the Assistant Attorney General or Senior Assistant Attorney General level, salary range $9,063.00 - $17,597.00 per month, depending primarily on years of legal practice experience and other factors. Employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS; the salary range noted reflects base salary only. For a partial list of our benefits, you can learn here.

The Oregon Department of Justice

The Mission of the Oregon Department of Justice is to serve state government and to support safe and healthy communities throughout Oregon by providing essential justice services. Its over 1,600 employees in ten divisions, including nearly 400 lawyers, are dedicated to the rule of law and serving the people of Oregon and its government.

The Attorney General And Our Divisions Are Dedicated To

• Providing ethical, independent and high quality legal services to state government;
• Safeguarding consumers from fraud and unfair business practices;
• Fighting crime and helping crime victims;
• Advocating for vulnerable children;
• Supporting families through the collection of child support;
• Enforcing environmental protections;
• Defending the civil rights of all Oregonians;
• Pursuing justice and upholding the rule of law.

Working for the Department of Justice

Assistant Attorneys General, on behalf of the Attorney General, represent the State of Oregon and state‑elected and appointed officials, agencies, boards and commissions in most civil and many criminal proceedings. The Department offers a broad range of opportunities for attorneys to work on significant and complex issues that face our state and make a difference to the citizens of Oregon while providing unparalleled career satisfaction and professional prospects.

Conduct Expectations

The role of the Oregon Department of Justice is to provide justice and uphold the rule of law. Employees of the Department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the Department.

Diversity is a core value of the Department of Justice

We are working to build and maintain a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment. Every employee expands our diversity through varied experiences and perspectives, and by contributing to the range of ways to understand and communicate with one another, identify challenges, and work cooperatively.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

Oregon Department of Justice

1162 Court St NE

Salem OR, 97301

[e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

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