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Attorney I-II

MS Attorney General’s Office

Jackson, MS

The Mississippi Office of the Attorney General is seeking litigation attorneys to serve in the agency’s Civil Litigation Division.

Salary is commensurate with experience; annual salaries range from $85,000 to $115,000.

Duties:

The Civil Litigation Attorney will represent the State of Mississippi, its agencies, officials, boards, and commissions in civil litigation matters in state and federal courts. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Handling all phases of civil litigation, including case assessment, legal research, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, hearings, trial preparation, trial, appeal, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, written discovery, settlement documents, and other litigation-related filings.
• Conducting legal research and analysis on constitutional, statutory, administrative, procedural, and common-law issues.
• Representing state agencies and officials in hearings, depositions, mediations, settlement conferences, oral arguments, and court proceedings.
• Advising client agencies regarding litigation strategy, legal risk, discovery obligations, document preservation, and potential resolution of claims.
• Managing assigned cases in an organized and timely manner, including tracking deadlines, communicating with clients, and ensuring compliance with court rules and orders.
• Reviewing and analyzing records, policies, statutes, regulations, agency decisions, and other materials relevant to assigned matters.
• Working collaboratively with other attorneys, support staff, agency leadership, outside counsel, and client representatives.

·         Supervising and collaborating with outside counsel who represent the state in complex litigation matters.

·         Developing litigation and settlement strategies, including receiving strategic input from supervisor(s) and colleagues.

• Maintaining professionalism, sound judgment, confidentiality, and ethical standards in all aspects of representation and employment.
• Performing other duties as assigned in support of the Civil Litigation Division and the mission of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

This is professional legal work serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Mississippi. The attorney provides legal representation and counsel on matters handled by the Civil Litigation Division and performs related duties necessary to support the mission and functions of the Attorney General’s Office. Work is performed with substantial independence but is subject to supervision by senior attorneys and agency leadership. The attorney may perform other duties as assigned by the Attorney General or the attorney’s supervisors.

Applicants may be required to provide a writing sample and professional references.

Education/Experience Requirements

·         Graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a Juris Doctor degree;

·         Experience in civil litigation, constitutional law, government representation, or related legal work is preferred but not required.

Certification, Licensure, and/or Registration

Must be an active member in good standing of The Mississippi Bar.

Essential Functions

·         Provides ethical, sound, and timely litigation counsel and representation to state officers, agencies, boards, commissions, and officials.

·         Conducts effective litigation and litigation-related activities, including legal research, factual investigation, analysis, written and oral advocacy, discovery, motion practice, trial preparation, trial, appeal, and settlement negotiations.

·         Exercises appropriate professional judgment in evaluating claims, defenses, litigation risk, and potential resolution of assigned matters.

·         Maintains professional and regular communication with clients, co-counsel, opposing counsel, court staff, witnesses, support staff, division management, and agency leadership.

·         Manages assigned matters in a timely and organized manner, including compliance with court rules, court orders, internal procedures, and applicable deadlines.

·         Maintains confidentiality and complies with all applicable ethical obligations and professional standards.

·         Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned.

The Attorney General's Office is the chief legal officer and advisor for the State of Mississippi on both civil and criminal matters. Her responsibility is to represent public officials and government agencies and to issue legal opinions that interpret State law. The Attorney General has the sole power under Mississippi law to bring or defend a lawsuit on behalf of the State. She acts as counsel to State agencies and defends them or brings suit on their behalf. Most importantly, the Office is charged with the representation of the people of the State of Mississippi.