Asst Attorney General

State of Maine•Bangor, ME

About The Position

The Office of the Attorney General is seeking a full-time appellate attorney in the Child Protection Division. The position requires exceptional writing skills, the ability to efficiently review voluminous trial court records and lengthy transcripts, and the ability to prepare precise and effective motions and briefs. The attorney must be comfortable with the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure and preparing appendices, maintain effective workflow practices, and meet deadlines. Strong oral advocacy skills tailored to appellate arguments are also required. The work is sophisticated and complex, and may include administrative appeals in Maine Superior Courts, occasional responses to Petitions for Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court, and district court litigation as needed. Most work will be before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, including writing 60 to 80 briefs per year and presenting several live-streamed oral arguments annually. The role is the most visible position in the Child Protection Division and may provide opportunities to deliver training and participate in workgroups, panels, and committees. Child protection appeals involve constitutional issues and require arguments that balance children’s safety, parents’ fundamental rights, and the State’s interest in protecting children from abuse and neglect.

Requirements

Be a fully admitted member of the Maine Bar in good standing.
Have experience as a writer and oral advocate.
Have impeccable writing, editing, case-tracking, and time-management skills.
Have exceptional writing and oral advocacy skills.
Be comfortable with the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure and the mechanics of building appendices.

Responsibilities

Review voluminous trial court records and lengthy transcripts efficiently.
Write precise and effective motions and appellate briefs, including 60 to 80 briefs annually.
Prepare appendices in accordance with the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Present several live-streamed oral arguments per year, primarily before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
Handle appellate matters that may include administrative appeals in Maine Superior Courts and occasional Petitions for Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.
Perform district court litigation as needed.
Meet deadlines using effective workflow, case-tracking, and time-management practices.
Craft arguments that balance children’s safety, parents’ fundamental rights, and the State’s interest in preventing child abuse and neglect.

Benefits

13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and more than three weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
State-paid employee-only health insurance premiums of 85% to 95%, depending on salary; dependent coverage contributions vary.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit for participation in the applicable program.
State-paid 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contributions to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness through the State’s qualified-employer status.
Living Resources employee assistance program.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including fathers and adoptive parents; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.