DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL

Position No: 125-31487

Salary Range:  Commensurate with Experience.  Total Rewards Calculator

Closing Date:  August 7, 2025.  Candidates will be reviewed as they apply.

Status:  Full-Time with State Benefit Package

Recruitment:  Internal/External

Location:  Bismarck, ND

Selecting Supervisor:  Philip Axt, Solicitor General

Summary of Work

The Deputy Solicitor General is an important position within the Office of the North Dakota Attorney General, focused on constitutional issues, appellate advocacy, and litigating against the federal government and other States.

The position of Deputy Solicitor General will require significant commitments of time and energy.  In exchange, you will have the opportunity to play an important role in some of the most important legal issues affecting the State and have opportunities to take on substantial levels of responsibility very quickly.  Remote or hybrid work arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities of the Deputy Solicitor General include:

1. Conducting exhaustive legal research, with a focus on constitutional law;
2. Drafting, reviewing, and editing legal briefs and motions;
3. Remaining up to date on legal developments around the nation;
4. Assisting the Solicitor General and Attorney General in developing the State’s litigation strategies on a wide array of issues;
5. Advocating on behalf of the State in the North Dakota Supreme Court and in federal courts around the country;
6. Managing outside counsel retained by the State for additional litigation support; and
7. Other duties as assigned by the Solicitor General.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Licensed to practice law in North Dakota, or licensed to practice law in another state with the expectation of seeking admission to the North Dakota bar within six months;
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
3. Excellent legal research skills using Westlaw, historical dictionaries, and other research tools;
4. Willingness to dedicate significant time and energy to the responsibilities of the position;
5. Ability to exercise independent and professional judgment;
6. Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality;
7. High ethical standards and clean discipline record;
8. Ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with supervisors and colleagues; and
9. Successful completion of the interview process and background checks.

Beneficial Experience

1. Prior experience with appellate brief writing and oral argument will be given preference, but is not a requirement.
2. Prior experience managing complex litigation will be given preference, but is not a requirement.

In addition to the monthly salary, this position includes fully paid health insurance for employee and family (with a wellness rider included), 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 leave and sick leave.

Employees in this position are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

About Team ND

“Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” – Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

 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 on the closing date listed on the opening.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AT:  www.nd.gov/careers

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
• Undergraduate and 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 contact Ashley, Office of Attorney General: E-mail: aeisenbeis@nd.gov; phone: (701) 328-1256 or TTY: 1-800-366-6888.

Learn more about Office of Attorney General at: https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/

Learn more about Employment Benefits at: https://www.nd.gov/omb/public/careers/team-nd-benefits

Visit North Dakota State government: http://www.nd.gov

To learn more about living in North Dakota, visit https://findthegoodlife.com