Section Chief, Correctional Litigation

Job Duties

• Supervises the Correctional Litigation attorney staff, consisting of attorneys, legal secretaries, and paralegals.
• Aids Correctional Litigation attorneys daily to ensure quality legal work for the Commonwealth and monitors for the consistency of legal positions taken by the section.
• Advices attorneys in the section regarding positions, arguments, and strategic decisions on matters.
• Counsels with the Deputy on a regular basis concerning the status and operation of the section.
• Informs the Deputy and Director of the Department of Corrections of significant matters, including those with statewide ramifications, policy changes, and matters that may receive media attention.
• Works with each employee to ensure their skill development and exposure to a variety of opportunities and experiences necessary for advancement.
• Maintains oversight of the performance of attorneys in matters and provides feedback to promote skills development.
• Reviews formal and informal opinions prepared by section attorneys.
• Performs administrative tasks associated with section personnel management, including coordinating and conducting periodic evaluations, making recommendations for position and compensation adjustments, and reviewing travel vouchers and leave requests.
• Advises agency heads on complex issues, providing input based on prior dispute experience; responds to inquiries from agency heads and personnel regarding all aspects of correctional litigation.
• Provides in-depth legal and policy advice regarding various correctional litigation matters.
• Negotiates with other lawyers to resolve disputes and litigation.
• Where needed, coordinates with Special Counsel, expert witnesses and consultants for litigation.
• Provides legal advice and assistance to other attorneys in the Office in the areas of correctional litigation.
• Reviews, evaluates, comments upon and monitors legislative proposals introduced in sessions of the Virginia General Assembly.
• Ensures, through advising and presentations, that Commonwealth officials and employees are aware and up-to-date on the applicable laws related to the Correctional Litigation section.

Minimum Qualifications

• Virginia Bar license in good standing; Admissions to EDVA, WDVA, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals are preferred;
• Knowledge of federal and state civil and criminal procedure and rules of evidence;
• Ability to coordinate and function as the lead attorney in highly complex matters;
• Ability to manage attorneys and administrative staff;
• Ability and temperament to mentor section attorneys to develop their litigation skills;
• Excellent analytical, writing, and interpersonal skills are required;
• Ability to use tact, judgment and discretion;
• Ability to quickly assimilate oral and written data to analyze facts and draw logical conclusions;
• Strong editing skills;
• Ability to provide clear direction to attorneys and administrative staff;
• Ability to organize work, establish priorities, and maintain good interpersonal relations with other attorneys and administrative staff as well as effective working relationships with government officials, outside consultants, and the general public;
• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15-20 years of relevant litigation experience with a background in correctional litigation or relevant robust experience in managing federal and state litigation.

Contact Information

Name: OAG Recruitment
Phone: 804-786-2071
Email: recruitment@oag.state.va.us
Application Instructions: Kindly utilize the Virginia Jobs website.