Deputy Attorney General II/III

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg (Allegheny County, Philadelphia County, Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is seeking a Deputy Attorney General II/III to join its Litigation Section. This role involves defending civil rights and constitutional law claims in federal court. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication and legal skills, managing their own caseload with support from senior attorneys. The position offers a competitive salary, telework options, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Health Care Options

Retirement Plans

Generous Paid Time Off

Work-Life Balance

Telework Options

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional legal work for DAG II.
• Minimum 6 years of professional legal work for DAG III.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and argues cases in federal and state courts.
• Conducts legal research and prepares motions and pleadings.
• Counsels clients and devises litigation strategies.

Skills

Communication

Research

Writing

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Section: Litigation Section/Civil Law Division

Class Deputy Attorney General II/III

Location: Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh

Telework: This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week. You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.

Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-union

Work Hours: 8:30 – 5:00

Salary Range: DAG II: Pay Range 9 – Starting salary of $75,208

DAG III: Pay Range 10 – Starting salary of $85,966

The Office of Attorney General (OAG) is a respected institution dedicated to legal excellence and service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to offering the opportunity for meaningful work, employment with the OAG includes top-tier health care options, retirement plans, generous paid time off, and good work-life balance, including telework options described above. Employees enjoy a dynamic and supportive work environment that fosters professional growth and development.

Basic Function

Through this posting, the OAG is seeking an attorney to work in the Litigation Section in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh. Attorneys in this section defend claims involving civil rights, constitutional law, and employment law, while representing the Commonwealth, the OAG, the Governor, and other Commonwealth agencies, officials, and employees. The majority of cases are in federal court. Each attorney on the team handles cases from service of legal process through posttrial motions and consultation with the Appellate Litigation Section on any appeals. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, possesses strong research and writing skills, and has the ability to independently manage a full caseload. While attorneys largely manage their own cases, they will receive support and guidance from both their supervisor and colleagues. The attorney also may be teamed up with more senior attorneys on matters deemed to be more complex and difficult.

A Deputy Attorney General II (DAG II) will initially be assigned cases of moderate difficulty and be supervised by a more senior attorney, but as the attorney gains experience, will work with more independence, while being assigned more complex work. A Deputy Attorney General III (DAG III) will be assigned more complex and significant cases and works independently on most matters.

• Prepares, tries, and argues cases in Pennsylvania in federal and state courts
• Prepares motions, pleadings, briefs, and other court papers in conjunction with lawsuits, trials, hearings, or other litigation
• Works with the civil investigative team and directs factual investigations related to pending litigation
• Conducts legal research related to pending litigation

• Drafts, serves, and responds to discovery requests
• Takes and defends depositions of parties and witnesses, including experts
• Counsels clients regarding case-related activities and interfaces with them regularly
• Works with the client to devise and implement litigation strategy
• Understands, participates in, and facilitates e-discovery efforts
• Answers routine case-related correspondence
• Performs additional and related work as required

Deputy Attorney General II:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Deputy Attorney General III:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work