Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicants

Date Posted: 12/2/2021

Closing Date: 12/20/2021

S1 Salary Range: $30.80 - $47.82/hourly; $64,310 - $99,848/annually

S2 Salary Range: $37.90 - $56.02/hourly; $79,135 - $116,969/annually

S3 Salary Range: $42.64 - $68.93/hourly; $89,032 - $143,925/annually

Job Summary

The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison — one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and recently recognized as a Star Tribune 2021 Top Workplace — 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 seeks an experienced attorney to join its Employment, Tort, and Public Utilities Commission Division (“ETP”), which is housed in the Solicitor General’s Section of the Office.  The lawyer’s primary caseload will involve defending the State from employment and tort claims in state and federal court. There may also be opportunities to defend claims that Minnesota statutes are unconstitutional or to work on cases of state-wide impact.

One of the roles of the ETP Division is to defend the State and its agencies, officers, and employees from tort and employment claims. The attorney we seek to hire will have responsibility for a set of assigned cases (and charges), which the attorney will handle from the initial Answer or Rule 12 motion, through discovery, dispositive motion practice, mediation, trial, and appeal.  Each case is assigned another attorney to “second chair” it, and mentorship and training are available through formal and informal channels. Because cases can be venued anywhere in the state, periodic travel throughout Minnesota may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the ABA;

• Licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain licensures within 90 days of hire;

• An interest in handling tort and employment cases on behalf of the State before administrative tribunals, district courts, and in the appellate courts;
• Proven ability to litigate autonomously and make strategic legal decisions as lead counsel on a diverse caseload;
• Ability to travel to counties throughout 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; and
• Proven ability to work in an inclusive, creative and collaborative work environment.

To be considered at the Staff Attorney 2 (S2) level applicants must have 5 or more years of civil litigation experience or equivalent.

To be considered at the Staff Attorney 3 (S3) level applicants must have 10 or more years of civil litigation experience or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Specific experience defending employment or tort claims; and
• Three years of direct civil litigation experience.

Why Work For Us

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.

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 December 20, 2021.

1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers;
2. Apply for posting number 50889
3. Please ensure to include a writing sample (up to five pages) within the cover letter.

Contact

If you have questions, contact Sarah Spence-Koivisto at sarah.spence-koivisto@ag.state.mn.us or 651/757-1050.