Paid Leave Judge - Compensation Attorney

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; Saint Paul (MN); Remote; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 holidays per year

Low-cost health, dental, vision plans

Pension plan

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is seeking compensation attorneys to serve as Paid Leave Judges. These positions conduct de novo evidentiary hearings and issue decisions with findings of fact.

You will support appellate work before Minnesota’s Courts and assist with intake and analysis. As the first judges in the Paid Leave program, you will help shape processes in a start-up government environment, reporting to the Paid Leave Appeals Manager.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school and have a current active law license in good standing in the State of Minnesota.
• Ability to manage a hearing including asking probing questions to develop a record necessary to make findings of fact, ruling on objections, and working with a wide range of individuals including pro se parties and attorneys.
• Ability to learn and use a case management system and other technological tools and applications, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Webex, Westlaw, and similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Preside over de novo evidentiary hearings under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 268B.
• Write cogent, legally correct decisions with findings of fact and reasons for decision.
• Ruling on requests for reconsideration that may be appealed to the Court of Appeals.
• Review newly filed appeals and determine procedures for each case.
• Help develop and deliver the Paid Leave appeals capabilities within a start-up environment.

Skills

Active law license

Legal research

Statutory analysis

Written decisions

Judicial temperament

Education

Law degree

Tools

Westlaw

Microsoft Office

Webex

Job description

The Paid Leave program launched on January 1, 2026. The program provides partial wage replacement to Minnesota workers who are out of work due to a qualifying condition, such as a severe health condition that prevents them from working, or when they need time to care for a family member or a new child. We are building and implementing a program that will be easy for every Minnesotan to use. The Paid Leave team has high standards and an unrelenting commitment to serving Minnesotans. It is a start-up environment without legacy systems or preconceived ways of working, so we have a unique opportunity to create human-centric processes and systems to deliver this new benefit to Minnesotans.

Position Purpose:

This posting will be used to fill multiple positions for compensation attorneys to act as Paid Leave Judges. Paid Leave Judges will hold critical roles in our organization. Paid Leave Judges hold de novo, due process evidentiary hearings for Paid Leave applicants and employers and deliver timely decisions that include making findings of fact and reasons for decision. Most importantly, you will ensure participants in the program receive a fair hearing experience. Paid Leave Judges also support Paid Leave’s appellate work before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court, as well as perform case intake and analysis.

As the first judges in the Paid Leave program, your decisions will be matters of first impression that are the final agency decision which is appealable to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. This is an exciting opportunity to join a legal team making a difference for Minnesotans!

Reporting to the Paid Leave Appeals Manager, you’re key to the overall success of our division.

Key Responsibilities:

• Holding Hearings: Preside over and conduct de novo single and multi-party party Paid Leave administrative evidentiary hearings, under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 268B.
• Writing Decisions: Writing cogent, legally correct decisions announcing findings of fact, reasons for decision, and decision.
• Reconsideration Requests: Ruling on requests for reconsideration which become the final agency decisions that may be appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
• Timely Execution of Duties: Must hold multiple hearings in a day, and issue written decisions according to expectations. This is a position requiring efficiency and expeditiousness.
• Intake Appeals: Review newly filed appeals, properly set up the case file, and determine necessary procedure for each case.
• Start-up Spirit: We’re a start-up within state government; you are excited to play a key role in continuing to develop the organization, processes, and systems required to deliver the appeals capabilities for Paid Leave.

This is a temporary unclassified appointment anticipated to last up to three (3) years.

This position will be open on a continuous basis until posted end date or until all positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis until the posting is closed.

This position is telework eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Graduate of an accredited law school and have a current active law license in good standing in the State of Minnesota

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

• Ability to manage a hearing including asking probing questions to develop a record necessary to make findings of fact, ruling on objections, and working with a wide range of individuals including pro se parties and attorneys.
• Experience performing legal research and using that research to conduct complex statutory analysis, including interpreting statutes, rules, and case law, and applying them to factual records.
• Ability to draft and issue legal decisions, motions, appellate briefs, and other documents in clear, well-reasoned plain language within time requirements.
• Ability to receive and apply feedback, embrace constructive direction from managers, adapt to changing program needs, and work collaboratively and flexibly in a start-up dedicated to a culture of excellence and and ongoing improvement
• Ability to maintain a judicial temperament (e.g., impartiality, curiosity, open-mindedness, patience, decisiveness) and demonstrate the integrity, judgment, and ethical conduct required of those exercising decision-making in roles of public trust.
• Ability to learn and use a case management system and other technological tools and applications, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Webex, Westlaw, and similar platforms.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.