Special Deputy Attorney General

State of North Carolina•1 S. Wilmington Street Wake, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the North Carolina Department of Justice/Attorney General’s Office representing the North Carolina Department of Transportation in eminent domain actions to help the Department of Transportation fulfill its mission to connect people, product and places. If you are interested in being part of a dynamic litigation team that gets you inside the courtroom and in front of a jury, while also managing special projects for our litigation team, then this is an amazing opportunity for you! The Attorney V represents the N.C. Department of Transportation in eminent domain litigation at all levels of complexity. The attorney must strategically counter novel arguments and pivot strategy based on the circumstances of the litigation and the client’s directive. The position requires a skilled trial attorney who is capable and comfortable with defending emotional and equitable arguments from opposing parties which are not supported by the law. The attorney will represent the Department in all levels of eminent domain litigation including - investigation, discovery, negotiations, vigorous motion practice, trials, and appeals. In addition to handling a caseload, including significant protracted litigation, the Attorney V will provide direct support to the Section Head by completing special projects as assigned by the Section Head and/or Division Head, including but not limited to training, leading, and developing junior attorneys, independently reviewing and verifying consent judgments, assisting with management and development of support staff, possibly serving as liaison to outside counsel, proactively creating and maintain section -wide resources, organizing “mock trials” for critical hearings and trials. As the needs of the Section change and our team faces advanced and novel legal arguments, the Section Head will assign special projects which serve the section and enhance the delivery of legal services to DOT. The attorney will become familiar with all aspects of the highway project for which the land is acquired, along with the maps, surveys, design and construction plans. The attorney will prepare and deliver legal presentations to the Right of Way Review Board, the Secretary’s Review Board and to others upon request, and provide legal advice and representation to the Right of Way Branch with respect to questions of law involved in acquisition, appraisals, and valuation of properties. The attorney will prepare various legal instruments, including but not limited to deeds, contracts, releases, along with other written documents, opinion letters or responses when called upon. The attorney will represent the State of North Carolina in criminal appeals, which will include but not be limited to the preparation and filing of briefs, petitions and, if called upon, oral arguments. This position is designated as a mandatory employee, which means under the State’s Communicable Disease Emergency Policy, that the position would be required to report in person to work in an emergency in the event DOJ officially closes or if DOJ management determines that only mandatory positions/employees are required to report to work. Mandatory positions/employees must report to the office, and management discretion will be used to determine during which days or hours this position must appear in the office. Some travel, including some occasional overnight stays are required.

Requirements

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar
Five years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.
Six years progressively responsible litigation experience
Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with management, colleagues and clients
Experience independently handling complex civil litigation from initial filings through a full evidentiary hearing and/or trial
Comfortable with written and oral arguments, trial advocacy and delivering legal presentations
Ability to multitask and prioritize case deadlines effectively
Demonstrated initiative to propose and complete special projects reflecting creativity, organization and strong written and organization skills.

Responsibilities

Represents the N.C. Department of Transportation in eminent domain litigation at all levels of complexity.
Strategically counter novel arguments and pivot strategy based on the circumstances of the litigation and the client’s directive.
Defend emotional and equitable arguments from opposing parties which are not supported by the law.
Represent the Department in all levels of eminent domain litigation including investigation, discovery, negotiations, vigorous motion practice, trials, and appeals.
Provide direct support to the Section Head by completing special projects as assigned.
Train, lead, and develop junior attorneys.
Independently review and verify consent judgments.
Assist with management and development of support staff.
Serve as liaison to outside counsel.
Proactively create and maintain section-wide resources.
Organize “mock trials” for critical hearings and trials.
Become familiar with all aspects of the highway project for which the land is acquired, along with the maps, surveys, design and construction plans.
Prepare and deliver legal presentations to the Right of Way Review Board, the Secretary’s Review Board and to others upon request.
Provide legal advice and representation to the Right of Way Branch with respect to questions of law involved in acquisition, appraisals, and valuation of properties.
Prepare various legal instruments, including but not limited to deeds, contracts, releases, along with other written documents, opinion letters or responses when called upon.
Represent the State of North Carolina in criminal appeals, which will include but not be limited to the preparation and filing of briefs, petitions and, if called upon, oral arguments.