Assistant Attorney General

The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison — one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and recognized as a 2022 Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota and 2022 Top Workplace USA — has a clear mission: we help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect. We are a dynamic group of dedicated professionals who could all work elsewhere but choose public service as a calling, and we are actively building an internal culture that supports that calling.

The Office is currently seeking two experienced attorneys to join its Human Services Division.

The human services division provides litigation services and legal counsel to the Department of Human Services (“DHS”), the state’s largest agency. Attorneys in the division represent DHS in a broad range of cases involving health care, licensing, children and family services, and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Attorneys regularly handle cases in state and federal district court, state and federal appellate courts, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Division attorneys have recently argued at the Minnesota Supreme Court and Eighth Circuit, and defended multiple class actions.

A successful candidate in this position will be able to:

Represent DHS in different forums – from state and federal courts to administrative agency appeals

Work on all aspects of civil litigation, from initial answer or Rule 12 motion, through discovery, motion practice, mediation, trial, and appeal

Travel periodically throughout Minnesota, as cases can be venued anywhere in the state

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the ABA and license to practice in the State of Minnesota
• Two years of civil litigation experience or equivalent
• Proven ability to litigate independently and make strategic legal decisions on a diverse caseload
• Ability to travel to counties across the state
• Experience using electronic files and case management tools
• Proven ability to contribute positively to a team and interact successfully with clients and members of the public
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to multitask by managing an active caseload and meeting tight deadlines
• Proven ability to work in an inclusive, creative, and collaborative work environment

Along with a cover letter, applicants must also submit a writing sample of up to 5 pages.

To be considered at the S2 level, candidates must have 8 years of related experience.

To be considered at the S3 level, candidates must have 12 years of related experience.

How To Apply Interested applicants must apply online through the State of Minnesota Careers website, which is the State’s official application and hiring site. The deadline for applications is Monday, October 24, 2022.

Go to www.mn.gov/careers;

Apply for posting number 59364

Contact If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Jake Pleschourt at [email protected] or (651) 757-1057.

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation, and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.

Public service with this office may qualify applicants to have part of their student loans forgiven under a federal student loan forgiveness program for state government employees. (Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more information.)

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence, and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.