Assistant Attorney General- Child Protection
About The Position
The Office of the Attorney General is seeking a highly skilled civil litigator to fill a full-time Assistant Attorney General position based in the Portland office. The primary responsibility of this Assistant Attorney General will be to litigate DHHS child protection cases in the Portland District Court with potential responsibilities in surrounding courts. Candidates must have well-developed skills in trial practice, motion practice, negotiation, professional communication, time optimization and case management. This position will require a lawyer to handle a high-volume caseload of expedited and intensive litigation, requiring multiple court appearances each week. Multi-day trials are common. The cases often develop from urgent circumstances; requiring the attorney to effectively communicate with the client and develop a litigation strategy within days of the filing of pleadings. This position also performs regular training for DHHS child welfare staff, and other legal work in the child welfare field as assigned by the Division Chief. Applicants who enjoy litigation and have superb legal writing skills are encouraged to apply, as this position may provide opportunities for sophisticated brief writing to those who are qualified and interested in developing as appellate writers.
Requirements
- Members of the Maine Bar in good standing.
- Experienced litigators.
- Excellent writers.
- Willing to travel regularly.
- Able to develop proficiency with remote court proceedings.
- Demonstrated thorough, accurate, resourceful, collegial, and effective professional work.
- Highly developed skills in all aspects of litigation.
- Highly developed client communication skills.
- Highly developed negotiation skills.
- Highly developed time optimization skills.
- Highly developed file management skills.
- Highly developed schedule organization skills.
- Proficiency in the use of law office technology.
- Adherence to the highest standards of legal ethics and civility.
Nice To Haves
- Enjoy litigation.
- Superb legal writing skills.
- Interest in developing as an appellate writer.
Responsibilities
- Litigate DHHS child protection cases in the Portland District Court with potential responsibilities in surrounding courts.
- Handle a high-volume caseload of expedited and intensive litigation, requiring multiple court appearances each week.
- Effectively communicate with the client and develop a litigation strategy within days of the filing of pleadings.
- Perform regular training for DHHS child welfare staff.
- Perform other legal work in the child welfare field as assigned by the Division Chief.
- Engage in sophisticated brief writing for potential appellate opportunities.
Benefits
- 13 paid holidays
- 12 days of sick leave
- 3+ weeks of vacation leave
- Health Insurance Coverage (State pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums)
- Health Insurance Premium Credit (5% decrease in employee-only premiums)
- Dental Insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
- Retirement Plan (State contributes 13.29% of pay to MainePERS)
- Gym Membership Reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
- Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
- Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account)
- Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
