Deputy Attorney General - Capital & Habeas Appeals

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision & dental options

Wellness program

Health savings account

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

State of Indiana is seeking a Deputy Attorney General for the Capital & Habeas Appeals section in Indianapolis. The role focuses on post-conviction litigation, including federal habeas corpus challenges, and may involve criminal direct appeals and other civil appeals.

The position requires strong research, advocacy, and procedural knowledge, with licensure in Indiana or eligibility for Indiana and federal practice. Hybrid work with some travel within and outside Indiana is possible.

Qualifications

• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Familiarity with Indiana criminal law and some aspects of civil law.
• Knowledge of state and federal rules of procedure.
• Ability to manage a caseload and ensure deadlines are timely met.
• Ability to work both independently and in a cooperative setting.
• Strong commitment to public service.
• Prior litigation experience preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana or federal courts, or eligible for Indiana and federal licensure.

Responsibilities

• Write appellate briefs in Indiana’s appellate courts after having reviewed the trial-court record and performed the requisite legal research;
• Appear and argue on behalf of the State or a state agency at oral arguments before Indiana’s appellate courts or the Seventh Circuit;
• Acquire a robust knowledge of Indiana criminal law and criminal procedure from the charging of a crime through federal habeas review;
• Consult with agencies in civil cases on appeal;
• Assist colleagues as they prepare for oral arguments through moot courts;
• Manage and maintain a caseload with changing due dates;
• Perform other tasks assigned by the Assistant Section Chief or Section Chief;
• This position may require some travel, both within and outside of Indiana.

Skills

Research skills

Advocacy

Criminal law knowledge

Procedural knowledge

Case management

Teamwork

Public service

Litigation experience

Education

Indiana law license

Federal licensure

Job description

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Deputy Attorney General - Capital & Habeas Appeals

Date Posted: Oct 22, 2026

Requisition ID: 485978

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Office of the Attorney General:

The Office of the Indiana Attorney General represents the state in cases involving the state's interest, provides legal defense to state officials or agencies in court, and gives formal legal advisory opinions on constitutional or legal questions to state officials. The Office of the Attorney General is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering a hybrid work model allowing for the possibility of working two remote days per week.

The Appeals Division of the Attorney General's Office represents the State, its agencies, officers, employees and interests, before the state and federal appellate courts in civil and criminal cases. The division's attorneys also represent the State before state trial courts—in capital and other select post-conviction actions and state habeas corpus proceedings—and before federal district courts in habeas corpus proceedings. In this role, the Division works to uphold judgments in criminal cases and represent agencies on appeal from decisions in both state trial courts and federal district courts.

A Deputy Attorney General assigned to the Capital and Habeas Litigation Section will be assigned cases from all practice areas within the Appeals Division. The Section emphasizes development of a hybrid civil and criminal practice with a focus on both state and federal post-conviction litigation, including federal habeas corpus challenges to convictions and both state habeas corpus and post-conviction challenges generally attacking parole revocation and sentence calculations. But a Deputy within the Section will manage a caseload that may also include criminal direct appeals, child services appeals, and the array of civil appeals handled by the the Division.

While the Capital Litigation Team is housed within this Section, a Deputy being hired into the Section is not required or expected to be involved with death-penalty litigation without a full willingness to do so and significant experience already within the Section.

Salary Overview:

The salary range for this position is between $84,256.74 and $115,217.00 per year.

Role Responsibilities:

• Write appellate briefs in Indiana’s appellate courts after having reviewed the trial-court record and performed the requisite legal research;
• Appear and argue on behalf of the State or a state agency at oral arguments before Indiana’s appellate courts or the Seventh Circuit;
• Acquire a robust knowledge of Indiana criminal law and criminal procedure from the charging of a crime through federal habeas review;
• Consult with agencies in civil cases on appeal;
• Assist colleagues as they prepare for oral arguments through moot courts;
• Manage and maintain a caseload with changing due dates;
• Perform other tasks assigned by the Assistant Section Chief or Section Chief;
• This position may require some travel, both within and outside of Indiana.

Typical Skills and Qualifications:

• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills;
• Familiarity with Indiana criminal law and some aspects of civil law;
• Knowledge of state and federal rules of procedure;
• Ability to manage a caseload and ensure deadlines are timely met;
• Ability to work both independently and in a cooperate setting;
• Strong commitment to public service;
• Prior litigation experience preferred;
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana or federal courts, or eligible for Indiana and federal licensure, required.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Four (4) medical plan options (including RX coverage) and vision/dental coverages
• Wellness program - earn back dollars in the form of gift cards
• Health savings account (includes bi-weekly state contribution)
• Deferred compensation account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Paid vacation, personal and sick time off
• Competitive leave policies covering a variety of employee needs.
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free 24/7 permit parking at an Indiana Government Center surface lot or parking garage