Criminal Director/Assistant Attorney General

DOJ-Office of the Attorney General; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, seeks a Director/Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division in Baton Rouge. The role provides leadership over prosecutions, appellate and post‑conviction matters, extraditions, and other criminal work, guiding attorneys and coordinating with state partners.

This senior position requires extensive criminal law experience, sound legal judgment, and proven capability to supervise attorneys and manage complex matters.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Current Louisiana State Bar membership and eligibility to practice in Louisiana.
• Experience in criminal litigation and felony trial work.
• Ability to supervise attorneys and manage complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Directs operations, personnel, workload, and legal work of the Criminal Division.
• Supervises attorneys, section chiefs, paralegals, and staff; sets priorities.
• Oversees criminal prosecutions and significant matters.
• Oversees appeals, post-conviction proceedings, extraditions, expungements.
• Provides strategic direction on cases, including plea negotiations and trial prep.
• Advises the Attorney General and leadership on criminal cases and issues.
• Coordinates with district attorneys and law enforcement agencies.
• Ensures compliance with laws, rules, ethics, and department policies.
• Participates in hiring and staffing decisions.
• Represents the Department at meetings and official functions.
• Performs other duties as directed.

Skills

Criminal litigation experience

Leadership

Analytical/decision-making

Written and oral communication

Supervising attorneys

Education

Juris Doctorate

Louisiana State Bar admission

Job description

The Department of Justice, Office of Attorney General Liz Murrill, is seeking applications for a Director/Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division. Salary offered will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and legal operations of the Criminal Division. The position oversees criminal prosecutions, appellate and post-conviction matters, extraditions, criminal-law matters, and other cases handled by the Division. The Director provides strategic and legal guidance to Division attorneys and supervisors and works closely with executive leadership, district attorneys, law enforcement agencies, state agencies, and other criminal justice partners throughout Louisiana.

This is a senior-level leadership position requiring extensive criminal law experience, strong legal and prosecutorial judgment, and demonstrated experience managing attorneys and complex legal matters.

The position will be domiciled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish. Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory background check, drug testing, and reference verifications.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact:

Nicole Young

HR Generalist A

[e-mail]

The Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Louisiana is a State as a Model (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school;
• Current admission to the Louisiana State Bar and eligibility to practice law in Louisiana.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant criminal litigation and felony trial experience, preferably as a state, federal, or local prosecutor;
• Extensive knowledge of Louisiana criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, constitutional law, and prosecutorial ethics;
• Experience supervising attorneys and managing complex or high‑profile criminal matters;
• Strong leadership, legal judgment, analytical, and decision‑making skills;
• Experience working with district attorneys and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies;
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

The duties and requirements of a Director/Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division shall include, but are not limited to the following:

• Directs the operations, personnel, workload, and legal work of the Criminal Division;
• Supervises attorneys, section chiefs, paralegals, and support staff and establishes Division priorities and caseload assignments;
• Oversees criminal prosecutions conducted or assisted by the Department, including complex and significant criminal matters;
• Oversees criminal appeals, post‑conviction proceedings, writ applications, constitutional challenges, extraditions, expungements, and other criminal litigation;
• Provides strategic direction on significant cases, including prosecution strategy, plea negotiations, trial preparation, sentencing, and appeals;
• Advises the Attorney General and executive leadership on significant criminal cases, emerging legal issues, and criminal justice matters affecting the State;
• Coordinates with district attorneys and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies on criminal investigations and prosecutions;
• Ensures Division personnel comply with applicable laws, court rules, ethical obligations, Department policies, and professional standards;
• Participates in hiring, performance management, personnel assignments, and other staffing and operational decisions;
• Represents the Department at meetings, conferences, legislative proceedings, law enforcement events, and other official functions;
• Performs other duties and special assignments as directed.