Department of Justice – Chief Counsel – Trial Division

The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) seeks an attorney with legal acumen and leadership experience to serve as Chief Counsel of DOJ’s Trial Division. The position will be based in Salem or Portland. The Chief Counsel serves at the pleasure of the Attorney General, reporting directly to the Deputy Attorney General. The Chief Counsel also is a member of DOJ’s Executive Staff, which consists of the top managers of each of DOJ’s divisions, meets weekly, and serves as an advisory body to the Attorney General.

Our successful candidate will share the Attorney General’s strong commitment to justice and work proactively to defend Oregon’s values. An ideal candidate will think creatively about how to solve complex cases and systemic challenges, and bring a fresh, proactive perspective to traditional trial work. We are looking for someone who brings not only legal excellence, but also dedication to exceptional client service, leadership development, and capacity to uphold a global perspective of the Department’s mission, values, and goals. Our successful candidate will model the Attorney General’s core values and proactively implement his goals:

Values

• Customer service
• Problem solver
• Out of the boxer thinker
• Transparent
• Justice oriented

Goals

• Strengthen the foundation of the agency
• Keep children and communities safe
• Stand up for seniors, consumers and working families
• Defend Oregon’s values

The Trial Division engages in litigation in state and federal courts, representing the State of Oregon (agencies, officers, employees, etc.) The Trial Division’s responsibilities range from defending claims for money damages to asserting policy positions that are of vital importance to the state and include resisting efforts of convicted criminals to be released by way of habeas corpus and post-conviction proceedings. The Federal Oversight Unit, within the Trial Division, engages in litigation to advance Oregon’s values and the rule of law by defending against potential federal impacts on the state and its people. The Division employs approximately 66 attorneys and 159 total staff.

The Chief Counsel reports to the Deputy Attorney General and is a member of the DOJ Executive Staff. The Chief Counsel is responsible for the day-to-day operations and long-range planning and management of the Trial Division. For example, the Chief Counsel must:

• Develop strong professional relationships with the Governor’s Office and leadership throughout state government;
• Develop litigation strategies for some of the State’s most important or complex cases;
• Advise the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General on formulating the state’s legal position on issues that present themselves in state government;
• Work with the other legal divisions to build effective communication and coordination on the development of the state’s legal positions;
• Manage the personnel of the Division, including managers, Assistant Attorneys General, and support staff;
• Participate in the appointment of Division personnel;
• Participate in the preparation of the Division’s budget and oversee its implementation;
• Formulate and implement internal management and work-processing systems to best process and monitor the Division’s work; and
• Provide counsel to the Attorney General and Deputy on legal and administrative matters.

The duties described are representative of the assignments expected; actual duties may depend on the needs of the Division and on the talent, skills, experience, and interests of the successful applicant.
Questions may be addressed to Berri Leslie, Chief Operating Officer, at berri.leslie@doj.oregon.gov or Ben Gutman, Interim Deputy Attorney General, at benjamin.gutman@doj.oregon.gov

Apply here!

REQ-189688 Chief Counsel – Trial Division

Internal Applicant Link | External Applicant Link

Closes end of day November 16, 2025