Assistant Attorney General - Appellate

About the role

The Office of Attorney General has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in our Appellate Division. This position presents an unmatched opportunity to brief and argue cases before the South Dakota Supreme Court, United States District Court, and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The attorney chosen for this spot will represent the state in criminal appeals, habeas cases, and as a prosecutor for various state licensing boards.

Responsibilities

• Researching for and writing appellate briefs
• Orally arguing cases

Mentorship and professional development

The office is committed to developing top-notch attorneys. The attorney in this position will receive hands-on experience, direct mentoring from senior attorneys, occasions to work on diverse and evolving caseloads, paid training opportunities, and exposure to complex legal and evidentiary issues.

Office location

The Appellate Division is headquartered in Pierre—the “best place to live” in South Dakota according to USA Today in 2018. Pierre is a safe, tight-knit community with over 350 acres of parks, serene landscapes, highly rated restaurants, water and dog parks, friendly people, and an affordable cost of living. A highly experienced applicant may have the possibility to work from a branch office location.

Qualifications

• Juris doctorate from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in South Dakota or can promptly obtain licensure
• Excellent writing, research, and oral advocacy skills
• Must uphold the highest degrees of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment

Pay

Salary for this position ranges from $85,000 to $115,000 annually, depending on experience.

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option
• Eleven paid holidays
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual
• Dental, vision, and other insurance options
• Retirement benefits (Class A retirement under SDRS)
• Paid training opportunities

Application process

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume containing three references, and a writing sample. Submit application materials to Sarah L. Thorne, Appellate Division Chief, at Sarah.Thorne@state.sd.us or online at the state's application portal.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.