Assistant Attorney General - Constitutional Defense and Special Litigation

The Utah Office of the Attorney General has an opening for an attorney in the Constitutional Defense and Special Litigation Section (CDSL). The incumbent in this position defends lawsuits that challenge the constitutionality of Utah laws and regulations.

Membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing is required. This position requires excellent written and oral advocacy skills and should have the experience and ability to immediately take over an existing caseload. Appellate experience is desirable, but not required. Some travel may be required.

*This position will be open until filled and may close without notice.*

• Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions.
• Determines discovery needs, and/or completes discovery; participates in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
• Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Represents the state, government official, or the employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, negotiations, complaints and/or other matters.
• Drafts working documents; prepares documents consisting of concise decisions based upon facts of case interpretations of law and compliance with state and federal standards.
• Conducts conferences with defendants and/or attorneys, negotiates settlements, and testifies in court.
• Conducts, or represents agency at formal or informal hearings and/or trials.
• Testifies before Legislative committees.
• Consults with members of the Legislature, Legislative counsel, and Executive officials.
• May be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight.

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

• agency and/or organizational program(s)
• communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
• read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
• legal processes and procedures
• applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
• civil and criminal justice laws
• understand and apply case and statutory law
• evaluate information against a set of standards
• use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
• laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
• perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques
• laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
• make a decision or solve a problem by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
• deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
• provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
• rules of evidence and civil and/or criminal procedure
• interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
• principles, theories, and practices of judicial or administrative law

• 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. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Where statute mandates, active membership in the Utah State Bar.
• 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).
• Salary is calculated based on initial Bar admittance year, less any years not practicing law, as outlined below.

  Bar Year	Base Rate	Annual
  2021-2023	$54.00	$112,320
  2018-2020	$57.00	$118,560
  2012-2017	$60.00	$124,800
  2007-2011	$63.00	$131,040
  2002-2006	$66.00	$137,280
  1997-2001	$69.00	$143,520
  1992-1996	$72.00	$149,760
  1987-1991	$75.00	$156,000
  1982-1986	$78.00	$162,240
  1977-1981	$81.00	$168,480
  1976-Prior	$84.00	$174,720