Tobacco Attorney

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Retirement plans

Generous paid vacation, sick and holid

Pre-tax Flex Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Prog

Job summary

The Tobacco Attorney position is part of the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) within the Montana Department of Justice. The role enforces tobacco laws and the Master Settlement Agreement, handling civil litigation and complex matters including the MSA, unfair trade practices, and False Claims Act issues.

The Attorney represents Montana in state and federal courts, engages in multi-state coordination, and supervises a Tobacco Paralegal. Rolling reviews begin with the first review on November 2.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree.
• At least two years of specialized law and litigation experience.
• Admission to and maintenance of licensure from the State Bar of Montana.
• If licensed in another state, must be able to become licensed to practice law in Montana within one year of hire.
• Individuals with 5 years of practice in another state in good standing are eligible to be admitted on motion.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities

• Represent the State of Montana in complex and routine civil litigation in state and federal courts, and in administrative forums.
• Participate in multi-state examination, investigation, and litigation enforcing the MSA and consumer protection laws.
• Supervise the Tobacco Paralegal and report to the OCP Bureau Chief.
• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; first review November 2.

Education

Juris Doctor Degree

Job description

Division Overview

The State's Attorney's Office in the Montana Department of Justice is dedicated to ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law on behalf of the people of Montana. The office includes the Solicitor General's Office, Criminal Prosecution and Appellate Services, Civil Services and Consumer Protection. The functions within the office include defense of Montana's laws as passed by the Legislature, constitutional challenges, determining legal sufficiency of ballot initiatives, prosecution of criminals, handling all phases of litigation from district court proceedings through appeal, and complex litigation of antitrust matters.

Job Overview

The Tobacco Attorney is a part of the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) and is responsible for diligently enforcing the 1998 Tobacco Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement (MSA), including investigations and prosecutions of Montana's tobacco laws. (MCA §§ 16-11-401 to 16-11-512) The MSA requires tobacco companies to make payments to states in perpetuity, and prohibits tobacco companies from advertising to children, and from making false claims about the health effects of cigarettes. The MSA requires each state to diligently enforce certain tobacco laws. The MSA brings substantial funding to the State, in recent years between $27 and $33 million per year, continued receipt of which is, to a significant extent, dependent on tobacco law enforcement.

The Attorney represents the State of Montana in complex and routine civil litigation in state and federal courts, and in administrative forums. These cases are extremely diverse, and include, but are not limited to, the following: the MSA, the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, the False Claims Act, the unauthorized practice of law, and Montana statutes which affect non-profit corporations, and charitable trusts.

The Attorney participates in multi-state examination, investigation, and litigation enforcing the MSA and consumer protection laws through conference calls and working groups.

This position supervises the Tobacco Paralegal and reports to the OCP Bureau Chief.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review of applications November 2nd.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree.


• At least two years of specialized law and litigation experience.


• Admission to and maintenance of licensure from the State Bar of Montana.


• If licensed in another state, must be able to become licensed to practice law in Montana within one year of hire.


• Individuals with 5 years of practice in another state in good standing are eligible to be admitted on motion.


• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years of specialized law and litigation experience, preferably in consumer protection.

Screening

• Criminal History Fingerprint Check


• Driving History

Benefits

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage


• Retirement plans


• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays


• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts


• Employee Assistance Prog