Deputy Attorney General I/II/III/IV
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney GeneralPosition Information
Section: Appellate Litigation Section/Civil Law Division
Class: Deputy Attorney General I/II/III/IV
Location: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, or Philadelphia
Telework: This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week. You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.
Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-union
Work Hours: 8:30 – 5:00
Salary Range: DAG I: Pay Range 8 – Starting salary of $65,741
DAG II: Pay Range 9 – Starting salary of $75,208
DAG III: Pay Range 10 – Starting salary of $85,966
DAG IV: Pay Range 11 – Starting salary of $98,289
Basic Function
The Appellate Litigation Section handles all civil appeals from cases originating in both the Civil Law and Public Protection Divisions of the Office of Attorney General. The employee in this position will be responsible for researching and writing briefs and arguing cases before state and federal appellate courts including the United States Supreme Court. The appeals concern challenges to the constitutionality of state statutes and state action, civil rights, election law, administrative and regulatory law, employment law, tax law, and tort law. The employee will work closely with attorneys and professionals from other sections of the Office of Attorney General and from other state agencies, including with the trial attorneys who argued the cases in lower courts.
Attorneys in the Appellate Litigation Section must exhibit sound judgment based upon reasoned analysis of pertinent legal authority, relevant facts, and policy implications in developing litigation strategy; excel in both written and oral communication; and possess the organizational skills to manage multiple cases addressing a broad variety of issues simultaneously.
The employee in this position will work independently but will also assist more senior attorneys on matters deemed to be more complex and difficult. As a Deputy Attorney General I or II (DAG I or DAG II) gains experience, work is performed with more independence. A Deputy Attorney General III (DAG III) will work independently on most matters. A Deputy Attorney General IV (DAG IV) is expected to independently handle difficult and high-profile cases. This position reports to the Chief Deputy Attorney General for the Appellate Litigation Section.
Examples Of Duties
- Researches and writes appellate briefs on a broad variety of complex and important issues
- Prepares and argues cases in various state and federal appellate courts
- Represents the Commonwealth, its agencies, departments, officials, employees, statutes, and regulations in complex appellate litigation
- Performs related work as required
Minimum Experience and Training
Deputy Attorney General I:
- Graduation from an accredited school of law and admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Deputy Attorney General II:
- Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work
Deputy Attorney General III:
- Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work
Deputy Attorney General IV:
- Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Prior clerkship experience