Organization

North Dakota Office of Attorney General
Bismarck, North Dakota

Posted Date

August 27, 2025

Contact Information

Ashley Eisenbeis
aeisenbeis@nd.gov

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

 Position No: 125-593

 Salary Range: $81,000 – $120,000 annually (Commensurate with Experience).  Click for Total Rewards Calculator

Closing Date: September 10, 2025

Status: Full-Time with State Benefit Package

Recruitment: Internal/External

Location: North Dakota

 Selecting Supervisor: Mary Kae Kelsch, Director, General Counsel Division

The General Counsel Division of the Attorney General’s Office has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General to serve as general counsel to the University System Office. The successful applicant will gain in depth experience at the highest levels of state government in general counsel representation, employment law, contract law, and administrative law while working in a fun, collaborative environment and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Subject matter responsibility for this position includes staff and faculty employment, contract and policy review, Title IX, student affairs and student privacy rights, working with outside counsel and the civil litigation department to coordinate litigation (including medical malpractice cases), risk management, the Clery Act, open records and open meetings and University public affairs.

The position will interpret and implement policies and procedures established by the State Board of Higher Education and state and federal law. The position will work closely with executive level administration and the department of human resources. This includes providing training and legal advice both verbally and in writing. Anticipate potential legal issues and exercise reliable and well-reasoned judgment to provide advice and counsel in a manner that fosters sound decision making.

A successful applicant will serve as a point of contact on behalf of the office of general counsel and represent it in a manner that promotes professionalism, approachability, confidence, and collaboration.

Prior experience with general counsel work is preferred but not required.  Attorneys with a background in civil or criminal litigation who are looking for a change of pace in their careers are encouraged to apply.

 Job Duties

 Provide clear and comprehensive legal advice to clients;

  1. Assist clients with procurement, contract review, and negotiation;
  2. Maintain a proactive approach in communicating with clients to preemptively address legal concerns;
  3. Conduct research on pertinent state and federal legal issues;
  4. Keep abreast of recent state and federal legal and legislative developments relevant to clients and practice areas;
  5. Attend client, board, division, and agency meetings, as required;
  6. Assist clients with drafting legislation and legislative testimony, as requested;
  7. Review administrative rules for legality;
  8. Research and draft formal Attorney General opinions; and
  9. Perform other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Division Director.

Attorneys from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels have the ability to succeed in this role.   Critical thinking skills, the ability to be open minded, and an aptitude for problem solving are crucial to success in this position.

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 plans 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. The General Counsel Division is a family-friendly workplace that emphasizes a collaborative and flexible working environment.

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

 This position has the possibility of being located in various cities throughout the State of North Dakota.

Minimum Qualifications

  1. Licensed, or the expectation of imminent licensure, to practice law in North Dakota;
  2. Two or more years of legal experience is preferred, but not required.
  3. High ethical standards and clean discipline record;
  4. Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality;
  5. Excellent communication, client management, and legal research and writing skills;
  6. Excellent time management and organization skills;
  7. Ability to write and speak in clear, concise, and understandable terms;
  8. Ability to exercise independent judgment and professional discretion in the identification, analysis, management, and resolution of legal problems;
  9. Demonstrates an ability to maintain effective and collegial working relationships; and
  10. Successful completion of the interview process, reference checks, and standard background and criminal record checks.

 About TeamND

“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
  • College 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.

at: https://www.nd.gov/omb/public/careers/team-nd-benefits

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

Responsibilities

The General Counsel Division of the Attorney General’s Office has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General to serve as general counsel to the University System Office. The successful applicant will gain in depth experience at the highest levels of state government in general counsel representation, employment law, contract law, and administrative law while working in a fun, collaborative environment and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Subject matter responsibility for this position includes staff and faculty employment, contract and policy review, Title IX, student affairs and student privacy rights, working with outside counsel and the civil litigation department to coordinate litigation (including medical malpractice cases), risk management, the Clery Act, open records and open meetings and University public affairs.

The position will interpret and implement policies and procedures established by the State Board of Higher Education and state and federal law. The position will work closely with executive level administration and the department of human resources. This includes providing training and legal advice both verbally and in writing. Anticipate potential legal issues and exercise reliable and well-reasoned judgment to provide advice and counsel in a manner that fosters sound decision making.

A successful applicant will serve as a point of contact on behalf of the office of general counsel and represent it in a manner that promotes professionalism, approachability, confidence, and collaboration.

Prior experience with general counsel work is preferred but not required.  Attorneys with a background in civil or criminal litigation who are looking for a change of pace in their careers are encouraged to apply.

 Job Duties

  1. Provide clear and comprehensive legal advice to clients;
  2. Assist clients with procurement, contract review, and negotiation;
  3. Maintain a proactive approach in communicating with clients to preemptively address legal concerns;
  4. Conduct research on pertinent state and federal legal issues;
  5. Keep abreast of recent state and federal legal and legislative developments relevant to clients and practice areas;
  6. Attend client, board, division, and agency meetings, as required;
  7. Assist clients with drafting legislation and legislative testimony, as requested;
  8. Review administrative rules for legality;
  9. Research and draft formal Attorney General opinions; and
  10. Perform other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Division Director.

Attorneys from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels have the ability to succeed in this role.   Critical thinking skills, the ability to be open minded, and an aptitude for problem solving are crucial to success in this position.

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 plans 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. The General Counsel Division is a family-friendly workplace that emphasizes a collaborative and flexible working environment.

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

This position has the possibility of being located in various cities throughout the State of North Dakota.

Qualifications

  1. Licensed, or the expectation of imminent licensure, to practice law in North Dakota;
  2. Two or more years of legal experience is preferred, but not required.
  3. High ethical standards and clean discipline record;
  4. Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality;
  5. Excellent communication, client management, and legal research and writing skills;
  6. Excellent time management and organization skills;
  7. Ability to write and speak in clear, concise, and understandable terms;
  8. Ability to exercise independent judgment and professional discretion in the identification, analysis, management, and resolution of legal problems;
  9. Demonstrates an ability to maintain effective and collegial working relationships; and
  10. Successful completion of the interview process, reference checks, and standard background and criminal record checks.

Application Process

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
  • College 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.

at: https://www.nd.gov/omb/public/careers/team-nd-benefits

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