Job Title: Special Assistant Attorney General |MS Attorney General’s Office
Criminal Appeals Division (Federal Habeas Corpus Team)
The Criminal Appeals Division seeks an attorney with exceptional research, writing, and oral advocacy skills to join its Federal Habeas Corpus Team. The Team represents the State in non-death-penalty federal habeas corpus proceedings under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 and 2241 before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and, when appropriate, the United States Supreme Court.
The Team handles a broad range of post-conviction and custody-related litigation, including challenges to pretrial detention, state court convictions and sentences, sentence calculations, detainers, and parole decisions. The practice is fast-paced and litigation-intensive, requiring the successful candidate to develop clear, persuasive legal arguments, manage a high-volume federal district court docket, work independently, and collaborate effectively with other attorneys.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
· Reviewing and analyzing state court records and other case materials
· Conducting thorough legal research
· Drafting persuasive responses, motions, briefs, and other federal court filings
· Representing the State in federal district court, the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court
· Managing an active federal litigation docket & ensuring compliance with court deadlines
· Assisting with other division responsibilities as needed
The position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to complete assignments efficiently while meeting both court and internal deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications:
· Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
· Mississippi Bar license
· Strong research, analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills
Desirable Qualifications:
· Completion of a state or federal judicial clerkship
· Familiarity with federal habeas corpus, federal civil procedure, or appellate litigation
Compensation:
Compensation is commensurate with experience and years of bar membership per Mississippi State Personnel Board guidelines.