SOLICITOR GENERAL

Position No: 125-589

Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Status: Full-Time with State Benefit Package

Recruitment: Internal/External

Location: Bismarck, ND

Selecting Supervisor: Claire Ness, Chief Deputy Attorney General

Summary of Work

The Solicitor General advises the Attorney General and Chief Deputy Attorney General on appellate strategy and, under their direction, is responsible for civil and criminal appeals involving the State and litigation defending the constitutionality of state statutes. As part of this work, the Solicitor General:

• Supervises the Deputy Solicitor General;
• Prepares or oversees the preparation of petitions, briefs, and other documents filed in courts, including the North Dakota Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States;
• Provides oral arguments in appellate cases;
• Advises the office leadership on nationwide litigation and appeals involving significant constitutional issues;
• Defends the constitutionality of state statutes and coordinates with other litigators in the office who defend state statutes;
• Advises the Industrial Commission, which is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner, on significant cases and legal developments involving the energy and natural resources sectors;
• Advises the office leadership on federal regulatory developments that may impact the state and coordinates the state's response to them;
• Collaborates with other division directors;
• Collaborates with other state agencies;
• Carries out other duties as needed.

In addition to the monthly salary, this position includes fully paid health insurance for employee and family, the option to participate in employee-paid dental and vision for employee and family, participation in the state NDPERS defined contribution retirement plan as well as the option to participate in the 457 deferred compensation plan, the option to contribute to a medical spending account, and earning annual and sick leave.

This open position is contingent on the current Solicitor General's confirmation as a federal district court judge - which could occur anytime between early December and February, depending on the election and other factors.

Minimum Qualifications

Licensed to practice law in North Dakota, or the expectation of imminent admission to the North Dakota Bar (within 6 months of hire);

Significant litigation or appellate experience, including experience in one or more of the following: the North Dakota Supreme Court, the highest court of another state, the United States Courts of Appeals, or the Supreme Court of the United States;

Experience representing government entities and expertise in constitutional law are preferred;

Exemplary analytical, advocacy, and communication skills;

Excellent, proven leadership capabilities;

Time management and organization skills;

Impeccable legal ethics;

High ethical standards; clean discipline record;

Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality;

Excellent legal research skills; ability to effectively use Westlaw or Lexis and other research tools;

Interpersonal skills needed to work well with clients, colleagues, and the public;

The judgment, reliability, and willingness to devote the time and energy necessary to provide excellent legal services to the State of North Dakota;

Ability, demonstrated in previous employment experience or otherwise shown, to establish and maintain effective, harmonious working relationships with clients, colleagues, and supervisors;

Proven ability or potential to do excellent legal work in the areas of writing, negotiation, oral arguments, and client advice;

Ability to exercise independent judgment and professional discretion in the identification, management, and resolution of legal problems relevant to a governing body; and

Successful completion of the interview process, reference checks, and standard background and criminal record checks to determine knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform Solicitor General tasks.

Application Procedures

Applicants are screened based on qualifications, successful completion of the interview process and a background and criminal investigation. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The Office of Attorney General does not provide sponsorships.

Application package must be received by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on the closing date listed on the opening.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AT: ND Careers website

Documents to be submitted:

• Resume
• Cover letter with a summary that clearly explains how the applicant's work experience is related to the summary of work and minimum/preferred qualifications
• 3 Professional References
• Law School Transcripts (copies or unofficial versions are acceptable for the initial application process but when the top candidate is given a conditional employment offer, they are required to present official transcripts)

The North Dakota Office of Attorney General prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application and interview process to include responses to questions in which you must provide a narrative and/or verbal response. You must create your own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. While the North Dakota Office of Attorney General encourages you to create your narratives and interview responses with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, you are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT during the interview process. Any information you provide during the application and interview process is subject to verification. The North Dakota Office of Attorney General will discontinue your candidacy if we find you have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application and interview process.

All hiring decisions are subject to approval by the Attorney General. No offer of employment is final or binding until approved by the Attorney General.

Anyone needing assistance or accommodations during any part of the application or interview process please contactAshley, Office of Attorney General: E-mail: [email protected] ;phone: (701) 328-1256 or TTY: (800) 366-6888.

• Learn more aboutOffice of Attorney Generalat: ND Attorney General
• Learn more about Employment Benefits at: Team ND Benefits
• Visit North Dakota State government: ND State Government website

To learn more about living in North Dakota, visit Find the Good Life ND website