Attorney IV

Adult Correction; North Carolina; On-site; USD 97,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Justice seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Defense Counsel for DHHS in Tort Claims Act actions and related civil litigation. The Attorney IV (NS) handles complex cases, drafts pleadings, manages discovery, and represents the State in appellate work from trial through appeal, including potential $1,000,000 awards per injury or death.

Travel to client locations and conferences is required; the role emphasizes independent work with minimal supervision and

Qualifications

• Civil litigation experience including motions practice, discovery, and trials.
• Strong legal research and writing abilities.
• Knowledge of NC Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, the Tort Claims Act, and related statutes.

Responsibilities

• Represent the State in Tort Claims Act actions and civil appeals.
• Draft pleadings, conduct discovery, attend pretrial hearings, trials and appeals.
• Travel to client locations and conferences as needed; speak at workshops for the client.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Legal research and writing

Oral advocacy

Tort Claims Act knowledge

Appellate practice

Job description

Agency

Dept of Justice

Division

DOJ Legal Services

Job Classification Title

Attorney IV (NS)

Position Number

65026505

Grade

LG09

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Justice, led by the Attorney General of North Carolina, represents the state, state agencies, and elected officials, and defends the rights of the people of North Carolina. The Department handles all state criminal appeals cases and assists district attorneys with complex criminal cases at their request. Additionally, the Department of Justice includes the North Carolina State Crime Lab, the North Carolina Justice Academy, and the Sheriffs' and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Divisions.

Description of Work

Recruitment Range: $96,513 - $119,415

IMPORTANT NOTE: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date listed.

This attorney will act as defense counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services in legal actions brought pursuant to the Tort Claims Act, N.C.G.S. §143-291, et seq. This position will be assigned claims of varying types and complexity, including the most complex, protracted or high profile catastrophic injury and property damage tort claims. This position is also responsible for defending all manner of civil actions for personal injury or property damage brought against State employees individually pursuant to the Defense of State Employees Act, N.C.G.S. § 143-300.1, et seq. The cases assigned to this attorney will be diverse and will include the most challenging cases and cases that may result in a direct impact to the client's legal and fiscal condition. The cases assigned to this attorney will involve legal matters of first impression, resulting in significant appellate practice. The assignment of these cases contemplates professional and proficient representation during all litigation events, including the drafting of pleadings, voluminous discovery, pretrial hearings, trial, and all appeals. This position will handle numerous cases in which the State may be subject to the maximum award of $1,000,000 for each injury or death under the Tort Claims Act. The attorney will respond on an as needed basis to queries from the client agency regarding negligence and risk management issues. The attorney will speak at conferences and teach at workshops for the client, upon request, and perform other duties as assigned by the section head. The attorney will represent the State before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, in both Tort Claims actions and criminal appeals. The attorney is expected to perform these functions with minimal review, and is expected to keep the supervising attorney informed of case developments that require additional review and/or input. The attorney will be required to travel to those locations where the various client matters and litigation are conducted.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• 1. Civil litigation experience, including motions practice, discovery (including written discovery and depositions), working with expert witnesses, and trials.
• 2. Well-versed legal research and writing, oral advocacy, and overall litigation strategies.
• 3. Knowledge of the N.C. Rules of Civil Procedure, the N.C. Rules of Evidence, the Tort Claims Act, the N.C. Rules of Appellate Procedure, and any other related statute, regulation or code.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and four years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.

NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

EEO Statement

T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work en