Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights

Job Description

Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights

The Civil Rights Section of the Litigation Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office seeks an attorney to represent state employees, state agencies, school districts and universities in civil rights litigation.

The position is located in Salt Lake City. A hybrid schedule telework schedule is available with a required amount of that schedule being in office.

The Civil Rights Section defends complex and cutting-edge civil rights litigation against state entities and their employees.

Civil Rights attorneys also collaborate with state agencies’ and educational institutions’ counsel, train state employees about the constitutional limits on their jobs, advise clients on changes to policies and practices to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws, and occasionally collaborate with state-level decision-makers when policies implicate constitutional concerns.

The successful applicant must have five years’ experience in civil litigation practice, preferably in federal court. Typical civil rights cases include heavy motion practice including motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment, complex electronic discovery, deposition practice, expert discovery, evidentiary hearings, and jury trials.

The successful applicant must have sophisticated and advanced legal writing skills. In-court arguments require extensive preparation to meet the expectations of the federal court.

The successful applicant will assume the responsibility of lead counsel in sexual harassment, ADA, and Title VI litigation;

prisoner’s rights litigation; excessive force and malicious prosecution litigation; due process litigation; and other complex civil lawsuits.

Prior experience defending state or local government employees in 42 U.S.C. 1983 litigation is preferred but candidates with a strong background in other areas of civil litigation may be considered.

Membership in good standing in the Utah State Bar, or qualification to practice pending admission to the Utah Bar under Supreme Court Rule of Professional Practice 14-809, is required.

Some travel is required as attorneys in the civil rights section represent their clients in civil litigation and other legal proceedings throughout the state.

As part of this application process, you must upload your resume and a legal writing sample into your application profile.

Applicants who do not provide those documents will not be considered.

Example of Duties

Prepare cases for trial by conducting legal research, gathering evidence, prepare all pretrial documents (motions in limine, jury instructions, etc.

making opening statements, conduct direct and cross-examinations, and make closing arguments.

• Provide consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate advice to client agencies.
• Determine discovery needs, conduct depositions, complete written discovery; participate in strategy sessions to prepare case for trial, determine evidence to use and how to present.
• Write / draft motions, court briefs, correspondence, reports, memoranda, etc.
• Represent the State and client agencies in lawsuits and administrative proceedings.
• May be required to travel to various locations and stay overnight.

Qualifications

includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
• read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, policies and procedures
• speak clearly, concisely, and effectively; listen to, and understand information and ideas presented verbally
• knowledge of legal processes and procedures
• knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; including state and federal case law and knowledge of bankruptcy law
• understand and apply case law and statutory law
• use logic to identify and analyze underlying principles, reasons, and facts to draw correct conclusions
• perform legal research using appropriate techniques and systems
• make decisions or solve problems using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
• conduct settlement negotiations and arrive at suitable terms when appropriate and advisable
• relate to people in sensitive, tactful and professional manner
• provide consultation and expert advice in team settings
• knowledge of Rules of Evidence
• knowledge of principles of judicial and administrative law
• knowledge of electronic document preparation and electronic document management and work systems (including MS Office, Adobe, other)

Supplemental Information

• A Juris Doctorate is required.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending;

carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc.

• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Must be able to travel as required.
• Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA 53-3-202(1)(a).
• Active membership in the Utah State Bar required by the end of the probationary period.
• Salary is calculated based on initial Bar admittance year, less any years not practicing law, as outlined below. Bar YearBase RateAnnual (Rounded)2022-2024$55.

62$115,6902019-2021$58.62$121,9302012-2018$61.71$128,3572007-2011$64.89$134,9712002-2006$67.98$141,3981997-2001$71.07$147,8261992-1996$74.

16$154,2531987-1991$77.25$160,6801982-1986$80.34$167,1071977-1981$83.43$173,5341976-Prior$86.43$179,774