DEPUTY CHIEF/ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

Duties and Opportunities: The Government Litigation Bureau is responsible for defending the State in litigation. Overseeing approximately fourteen attorneys and associated support staff, the Deputy Chief is responsible for overseeing all of the litigation assigned to this Bureau.
The primary function of the Deputy Chief is to ensure that all work defending the State is carried out to the highest standards and in the public interest, and that attorneys and staff have the necessary resources and support to do so.
This includes several core roles:

• Understanding the areas of litigation in order to advise attorneys and supervisors on case assignment, case strategy, litigation, negotiation, and settlement.
• Identification of issues of potential significance and/or of significant public interest to the Office and the Attorney General.
• Supervising and mentoring Government Litigation attorneys.
• Supporting each supervisor with respect to both quality and effectiveness of legal work and supervision.
• Maintaining standards of quality legal work.
• Maintaining a program for both on-boarding of new attorneys and continuing education for all attorneys
• The Deputy Chief may, as needed, enter their appearance as first or second chair on Government Litigation cases.

The Deputy Chief will also be responsible for assisting in the development of new program measures to develop best practices for supervision, litigation, in-house education and overall attorney support, in collaboration with other senior members of the Government Litigation Bureau, which is a significant priority of the Attorney General. In addition, the Deputy Chief oversees the Offices Open Government Unit and works with the Solicitor General on appeals and constitutional claims. The Deputy Chief also works with counsel from State agencies to assist in the appropriate and timely resolution of claims against them.

The Deputy Chief is a direct report to the Chief of the Civil Division and will also provide periodic updates and reports to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. In collaboration with the Chief of the Civil Division and the Unit Chief, the Deputy Chief will help ensure the work of each unit is consistent with its mission and with the priorities and mission of the Attorney General. The Deputy Chief of the Government Litigation Bureau will also collaborate with the Deputy Chief of the Public Protection Bureau and the Chief on overall running of the Civil Division.Eligibility: The successful applicant must have a law degree from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the Rhode Island Bar, the candidate must be eligible for admission to the Rhode Island bar and prepared to sit for the bar exam.

Qualifications: It is expected that the Deputy Chief will have at least fifteen years of experience doing civil litigation, to include experience defending civil litigation. Strong candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to public service, and experience with practice management and attorney/staff supervision. Ability to work with other state government employees and communicate with members of the public is a must. The position of Deputy Chief will require leadership skills, an interest in creative legal thinking, and a demonstrated ability to both envision and build on an organizational level. Candidates must have strong written/oral advocacy and negotiating skills and possess the capacity to function in a sometimes-high stress, demanding environment. Applicant must work well independently and as part of a team, including with other attorneys and support staff. Litigation experience in both state and federal court is preferred. RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
DEPUTY CHIEF GOVERNMENT LITIGATION
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
CIVIL DIVISION
Paygrade 8746 ($145,266 $162,270)
Or commensurate with experience
October 23, 2023 June 30, 2024

The Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General is seeking an experienced attorney to assume the position of Deputy Chief of the Government Litigation Bureau of the Civil Division.

About the Office of the Attorney General: The Attorney General is the states top lawyer and law enforcement official, protecting and serving the people and interests of Rhode Island through a broad range of duties. Every day, the Offices attorneys fight to ensure the public safety of the states communities, improve the economic security of its citizens, safeguard the states spectacular natural resources, and restore the publics trust in government. Assistant and Special Assistant Attorneys General represent the people of Rhode Island in civil and criminal matters before trial courts, appellate courts, and the supreme courts of Rhode Island and the United States. The Office is unique among attorneys general offices across the country. Out of fifty states, only two other offices share the same broad criminal mission. The Offices attorneys prosecute complex and violent crimes but also functionally serve as one of the nations largest district attorneys offices, prosecuting all felonies throughout the state.

Civil Division: The Civil Division leads affirmative and defensive litigation on behalf of the state, counsels the Attorney General and other government officials, and performs a range of regulatory duties. From identifying and pursuing landmark civil actions against businesses and individuals that have harmed Rhode Islanders to defending state laws, state agencies, state general officers, legislators, and employees, the Division and its attorneys are at the forefront of matters being litigated before trial courts, appellate courts, and the supreme courts of Rhode Island and the United States.

Government Litigation Bureau: The Government Litigation Bureau handles litigation brought against the State and State agencies. The broad scope of this work includes federal and state constitutional issues of first impression, statutory challenges that implicate significant policy considerations, actions brought against governmental programs that create the opportunity for meaningful reform, and active litigation of a myriad of additional issues from pre-trial to trial and through appeals. Attorneys in the Government Litigation Bureau are frequently working with attorneys in other attorneys general offices as well as with outside counsel, providing the opportunity to partner with counsel at larger offices with significant subject matter expertise.

If applying for position via mail or email, there is no need to also apply through online system.

How to Apply: Applicants should email or mail (1) a cover letter summarizing why you are interested and describing the skills and abilities you possess that will enable you to succeed in this position, (2) resume, (3) writing sample, and (4) list of three references to:

Aida Crosson
Director of Administration
Office of the Attorney General
150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903
[email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Attorney Generals Office is stronger, more credible, and more capable when its employees bring diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to their work. The Office encourages all qualified applicants from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities to apply.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, or covered veteran status.

Other Information: Finalists will be subject to a full background investigation including reference checks. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background investigation, receipt of letters of good standing from each Bar in which the applicant is a member, and membership in good standing with, or admission into, the Rhode Island Bar. In certain limited circumstances, applicants may be hired pending temporary or full admission.