Attorney III

State of North Carolina

About The Position

The North Carolina Department of Justice, led by the Attorney General of North Carolina, represents the state, state agencies, and elected officials, and defends the rights of the people of North Carolina. The Department handles all state criminal appeals cases and assists district attorneys with complex criminal cases at their request. Additionally, the Department of Justice includes the North Carolina State Crime Lab, the North Carolina Justice Academy, and the Sheriffs’ and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Divisions. Position is pending Reclass to Attorney III/LG08 Recruitment Range: $87,849 - $103,184 IMPORTANT NOTE: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date listed. The Public Safety Attorney III position provides intermediate-level litigation services for the Public Safety Section, primarily representing the Department of Adult Correction (DAC) in federal and state courts and in administrative hearings before the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). This position handles moderately complex cases independently and assists senior attorneys on more complex matters. The role emphasizes litigation in federal court and includes some advisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of case law, statutes, and judicial procedures.
Ability to conduct civil litigation and assist in complex cases.
Strong legal research and writing skills; ability to express arguments clearly.
Ability to establish effective working relationships and manage deadlines.
Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and three years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.

Responsibilities

Litigation • Independently manage intermediate-level civil litigation in federal and state courts, including prisoner civil rights and employment cases.
Represent DAC in OAH personnel hearings and related administrative proceedings.
Draft pleadings, motions, discovery responses, and participate in hearings and mediations.
Assist senior attorneys on complex cases (e.g., dispositive motions, trial preparation, trials).
Assist junior attorneys with litigation as requested by Section or Division Heads.
Legal Research & Analysis • Research statutes, regulations, and case law; verify authority for briefs and memoranda.
Analyze facts and evidence; prepare recommendations for litigation strategy.
Legal Advisory Services • Provide legal advice to DAC and other client agencies on routine matters and compliance issues.
Draft informal opinions and assist in policy review.
Team Support & Development & Criminal Briefs • Collaborate with Attorney IV/V on complex litigation tasks.
May provide informal guidance to Attorney I and paralegals; contribute to Section training sessions.
Participate in NCDOJ Criminal brief rotation.