Date Open:  Immediately

Date Closed:  Until filled

Title:  Assistant Attorney General IV – Non-Capital Habeas Litigator in Criminal Appeals

Salary Range: $122,500 – $145,000

Location:  Oklahoma City, OK or Tulsa, OK

The Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General is currently seeking an experienced federal habeas corpus litigator for the non-capital team of the Criminal Appeals Unit. An application will not be considered absent a cover letter explaining the candidate’s relevant experience and ability to litigate complex federal habeas corpus cases. A writing sample, preferably on a habeas topic, will be required before the candidate is advanced past the first interview.

Level Summary:

An Assistant Attorney General IV is an advanced level for Assistant Attorneys General within the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General. Along with being able to perform all responsibilities of more junior attorneys, employees at this level perform high-level work and exhibit advanced skills as a lawyer. This level works autonomously and can provide guidance to junior attorneys. This level is a subject matter expert and displays leadership skills.

Position Summary:

The Criminal Appeals Unit represents the State in the criminal appeals process to ensure that the just and lawful decisions rendered by judges and juries are upheld in the appellate courts. The successful candidate will be responsible for representing prison wardens in federal habeas actions. The successful candidate may also, within the discretion of Unit leadership, represent the State before the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Essential Functions:

• Agree to participate and cooperate in the Unit’s multiple-level review process, which includes review of all court filings (with the exception of non-substantive filings such as extension requests) and submissions to other entities (e.g., the Pardon and Parole Board) by a Senior Assistant Attorney General or Supervisory Assistant Attorney General, Chief, or Deputy Chief, and (for all capital or otherwise complex or especially important matters) the Solicitor General.
• Make edits as directed during the review process. Respectfully discuss any changes regarding which there is disagreement or confusion with the first-level reviewer and/or Chief/Deputy Chief as appropriate.
• Meet all internal deadlines for peer review—specifically, briefs, other pleadings, or any other document being reviewed should be submitted to the reviewing attorney (Senior Assistant Attorney General or Supervisory Assistant Attorney General) at least ten days prior to the document’s external deadline (e.g., the filing deadline set by the court).
• Complete all assigned cases and duties such that cases and duties do not have to be reassigned.
• Manage sometimes competing deadlines and formulate plans and goals to meet both short- and long-term deadlines.
• Read appellate records thoroughly and carefully and prepare notes of the record.
• Write briefs coherently and persuasively and at the standard required by the Unit’s leadership. Specifically, at the time drafts are submitted initially to the first-level reviewer, the draft shall have been thoroughly researched, clearly and effectively written, and carefully proofread to the point that the draft is virtually free of typographical errors.
• Meet or exceed the Unit’s average productivity level—for non-capital matters, three briefs or one special assignment (such as an oral argument) per month; for capital matters, one brief or one special assignment (such as an oral argument or clemency packet) per month.
• Assignments are within the sole discretion of the Chief and Deputy Chief, and the employee must be willing to accept and work on a variety of types of case assignments (whether regular briefs or special assignments, etc.) with a positive attitude.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable state and/or federal laws, regulations, and policies, as well as the methods and techniques for conducting legal research and writing.
• Advanced level writing skills.
• Advanced level ability to provide oral arguments and handle federal evidentiary hearings.
• Subject matter expert on various topics.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to act as a senior leader within the agency.
• Ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Must have a state bar license and either be, or be eligible to become, licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma. Must have at least fifteen years of applicable experience in the practice of law or at least twelve years of experience as an attorney within the Office of the Attorney General. These minimum requirements may be lessened for a candidate with concentrated experience litigating federal habeas corpus cases or working on them as a federal law clerk.

Exemplary writing, research, and oral advocacy skills are required. Prior federal habeas corpus experience is also required. Prior oral argument, courtroom, or federal clerkship experience is preferred.

All applicants must agree in writing to complete, and satisfactorily pass, a background investigation.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee must be able to effectively communicate with all internal and external stakeholders; interpret complex information, policies, and procedures; complete tasks independently; learn and apply new information or new skills; meet deadlines with some interruptions. Extensive research, reading, and legal analysis.

Physical Demands:

Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work and employee may occasionally be required to exert up to 10 pounds of force. Extensive reading.

Work Environment:

This position operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

How to apply:

Send a cover letter and resume to resumes@oag.ok.gov and indicate that you are applying for “Assistant Attorney General IV – Non-Capital Habeas Litigator in Criminal Appeals” in the subject line of the email.

The Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer and does not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, sex/gender, color, age, national origin, genetic information, religion, or disability, so long as the disability does not render the person unable to perform the essential functions of the position for which employed with a reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations are needed to apply for this position, please contact OAG Human Resources at (405) 521-3921 or HR@oag.ok.gov. All employees of the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General are “at will” employees.