Temporary Deputy Attorney General II/III

Section:                    Torts Litigation Section/Civil Law Division

Class:                         Deputy Attorney General II/III

Location:                   Pittsburgh

Telework:                  Teleworking for this position may be permitted based on business need and the approval of the regional supervisor. If approved, the temporary attorney will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week and may telework the remainder of the week if desired and based on business need. 

Position Type:           Temporary, Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-union

Work Hours:             8:30 – 5:00      

Salary Range:            Deputy Attorney General II: $38.45/hour 

                                    Deputy Attorney General III: $43.95/hour 

Basic Function

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is seeking to hire one temporary attorney for a period of 12 months. 

The Torts Litigation Section is responsible for defending Commonwealth agencies and their employees in personal injury and property damage actions in state courts around the Commonwealth.  Most of these cases involve claims against PennDOT for death or serious bodily injury resulting from the allegedly defective design, construction, or maintenance of state highways.  

This position entails the performance of moderate to advanced legal activities of a difficult nature, including putting on cases for trial.  The successful candidate will be responsible for handling all aspects of litigation defense for the cases assigned and will work closely with attorneys and professionals within the Office of Attorney General and the defendant state agencies.   Applicants should possess strong academic credentials, excellent written and oral communication skills, an interest in current legal and policy issues, and the organizational skills necessary to manage multiple cases simultaneously.  The employee will report to the Senior Deputy Attorney General in Charge of Torts Litigation in their regional office.  

• Handles entire litigation of assigned tort actions filed in the Courts of Common Pleas of Erie, Warren, McKean, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Forest, Elk, Cameron, Lawrence, Beaver, Allegheny, Butler, Clarion, Armstrong, Jefferson, Indiana, Clearfield, Washington, Westmoreland, Greene, Fayette, Cambria, Somerset, and Blair counties
• Conducts legal research and prepares and files pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, and other legal filings required to defend Commonwealth agency clients

• Attends and participates in oral arguments, hearings, and court conferences
• Examines and analyzes documents in order to determine legal sufficiency and strategy
• Works closely with state agency clients to review and interpret their regulations and policies to determine defense posture
• Interviews witnesses and involved parties
• Travels to accident sites to review and evaluate liability and defense strategy
• Prepares and responds to discovery requests and attends and/or conducts depositions
• Works with liability and damage expert witnesses to secure expert reports and testimony
• Prepares for, and participates as “first chair counsel” in, mediations, arbitrations, bench trials, and jury trials
• Performs other duties as required

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 two years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work
• Two to six years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work preferred

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 three years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work
• Four to nine years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work preferred