Deputy Attorney General III/IV

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Norristown, Pittsburgh (Philadelphia County, Dauphin County, Montgomery County, Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Deputy Attorney General III/IV to join their Appeals and Grand Jury Section. This role requires exceptional written and oral advocacy skills to represent the Commonwealth in criminal appeals and federal habeas corpus litigation. Successful candidates will possess significant experience in appellate advocacy, managing a caseload independently while providing crucial legal support to fellow attorneys. This full-time position offers a collaborative environment where your contributions will directly impact the justice system. If you are passionate about legal advocacy and seeking a challenging yet rewarding opportunity, this position is for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum six years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work.
• Significant experience in appellate advocacy, preferably in criminal prosecution.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commonwealth in appeals and post-conviction matters.
• Provide updates to Section Chief regarding case statuses.
• Manage an independent caseload and travel for appellate arguments.

Skills

Written Advocacy Skills

Oral Advocacy Skills

Prosecutorial Judgment

Federal Habeas Litigation

Education

Graduation from an accredited law school

Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Job description

Section: Appeals and Grand Jury Section/Criminal Law Division

Class: Deputy Attorney General III/IV

Location: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Norristown, or Philadelphia

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

DAG IV: Pay Range 11 – Starting salary of $98,289

Basic Function

This is an appellate position in the Office of Attorney General’s Criminal Law Division. The Appeals and Grand Jury Section represents the Commonwealth in direct appeals from criminal convictions, in proceedings under the Pennsylvania Post Conviction Relief Act, and in federal habeas corpus litigation. The section also provides legal advice and support to other attorneys, both in the Office and throughout the Commonwealth, on matters relating to law enforcement. The section’s work arises from prosecutions within the Office’s jurisdiction, as well as referrals from local District Attorneys due to a lack of resources or a conflict of interest.

The primary job requirement is excellent written and oral advocacy skills. Experience with federal habeas litigation is preferred. Attorneys must also be able to exercise sound prosecutorial judgment and to manage an independent caseload. Although attorneys will be headquartered at a specific location, some travel will be necessary for appellate arguments and for hearings in state post-conviction and federal habeas actions.

A Deputy Attorney General III works independently on most matters, while a Deputy Attorney General IV works independently except in extraordinary cases.

• Represent the Commonwealth and defend judgments of conviction and sentence on appeal and represent the Commonwealth as the appellant in criminal matters
• Respond to petitions under the Post Conviction Relief Act and other post-conviction motions and appear for hearings in such matters
• Respond to federal habeas corpus petitions and appear for hearings and arguments in federal court

• Provide updates to the Section Chief and Assistant Section Chief regarding the status of cases and any significant events relating to cases

• Perform additional and related work as required

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 years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Deputy Attorney General IV:

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

Applicants must have significant experience in appellate advocacy or its equivalent, preferably in a criminal prosecution setting.