Special Assistant Attorney General

MS Attorney General's Office; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office is hiring a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Appeals Division’s Federal Habeas Corpus Team in Jackson. The role focuses on complex post-conviction litigation, including federal habeas matters, drafting pleadings, and appellate advocacy before the district courts, the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court.

We seek an attorney with exceptional research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, the ability to manage a heavy federal docket, and

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Mississippi Bar license.
• Strong research, analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Review state court records and case materials.
• Conduct thorough legal research.
• Draft persuasive responses, motions, briefs, and other federal court filings.
• Represent the State in federal district court, the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Manage an active federal litigation docket and meet deadlines.
• Assist with other division responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Research skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Oral advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Mississippi Bar license

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Special Assistant Attorney General | MS Attorney General’s Office

Criminal Appeals Division (Federal Habeas Corpus Team) seeks an attorney with exceptional research, writing, and oral advocacy skills to join its Federal Habeas Corpus Team. The Team represents the State in non‑death‑penalty federal habeas corpus proceedings under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 and 2241 before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and, when appropriate, the United States Supreme Court.

The Team handles a broad range of post‑conviction and custody‑related litigation, including challenges to pretrial detention, state court convictions and sentences, sentence calculations, detainers, and parole decisions. The practice is fast‑paced and litigation‑intensive, requiring the successful candidate to develop clear, persuasive legal arguments, manage a high‑volume federal district court docket, work independently, and collaborate effectively with other attorneys.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Reviewing and analyzing state court records and other case materials
• Conducting thorough legal research
• Drafting persuasive responses, motions, briefs, and other federal court filings
• Representing the State in federal district court, the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court
• Managing an active federal litigation docket & ensuring compliance with court deadlines
• Assisting with other division responsibilities as needed

The position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to complete assignments efficiently while meeting both court and internal deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Mississippi Bar license
• Strong research, analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills

Desirable Qualifications:

• Completion of a state or federal judicial clerkship
• Familiarity with federal habeas corpus, federal civil procedure, or appellate litigation

Compensation:

Compensation is commensurate with experience and years of bar membership per Mississippi State Personnel Board guidelines.

Company Description:

The Attorney General's Office is the chief legal officer and advisor for the State of Mississippi on both civil and criminal matters. Her responsibility is to represent public officials and government agencies and to issue legal opinions that interpret State law. The Attorney General has the sole power under Mississippi law to bring or defend a lawsuit on behalf of the State. She acts as counsel to State agencies and defends them or brings suit on their behalf. Most importantly, the Office is charged with the representation of the people of the State of Mississippi.