Appellate Attorney

Job description

The Opinions, Appeals, & Ethics (OAE) Section oversees all Civil Division appeals and Attorney General opinions, and interprets and enforces the Executive Branch Ethics Act (AS 39.52). The attorney selected for this position will engage in the full range of work handled by the section. OAE attorneys litigate some of the State’s most high-profile and complex cases in the Alaska Supreme Court and the federal courts of appeals, including representing the Office of Children’s Services in all child welfare appeals. The section also assists with critical motion practice and strategic decision-making at the trial court level and frequently partners with special litigation attorneys on expedited, elections, and other complex cases.

This opportunity is available in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau. Litigators with 7+ years of courtroom experience may be eligible for placement in other locations within Alaska as well. Flexible schedules, including hybrid telework arrangements, may be available.

• About the Opinions, Appeals, & Ethics Section

This position will be assigned a breadth of complex and stimulating responsibilities which include:

Civil Appeals: Lead and assist with civil appeals handled by the Civil Division. To maintain the quality and consistency of the Department’s appellate practice, OAE attorneys also review briefs filed by other attorneys in the Alaska Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals and participate in moot courts to prepare attorneys for oral argument.

Attorney General Opinions: Research complex questions of state law and policy; draft and refine formal Attorney General opinions that guide statewide executive decision-making.

Executive Branch Ethics (AS 39.52): Support the Department’s Ethics Attorney in advising on interpretation and enforcement of the Executive Branch Ethics Act.

Cross-Section Collaboration & Counsel: Work closely with section supervisors and Civil Division colleagues; participate in strategy meetings; contribute to consistent statewide legal positions.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants must have precise analytical skills, demonstrated excellence in written and oral advocacy, time management skills, and good judgment. Familiarity with state administrative and constitutional law; experience with ethics statutes is a plus. 2+ years of litigation or appellate experience, including substantial legal research and brief‑writing is preferred but not required to be considered. Ability to manage complex matters, prioritize deadlines, and collaborate across teams. They should enjoy all aspects of appellate work and enjoy working in a collaborative workplace.

Contact

Individuals who would like additional information about the position may contact Charles Gartland at (907) 269-5100 or by e-mail at [email protected].  

Benefits & Compensation

State Benefits Package

1. Health benefits (including dental and vision), life insurance and voluntary supplemental benefits
2. Generous leave accrual, starting at 21 days a year
3. 12 paid holidays
4. A variety of retirement plans
5. Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
6. 37.5-hour workweek
7. Eligibility for part-time teleworking, alternate workweek, or a flex schedule after an initial training period.

Estimated Compensation

The table below gives an estimate of compensation based on a combination of judicial clerking and licensed legal experience. The compensation listed in the table represents the base pay. Several locations around Alaska have geographical pay differences. Upon a job offer, you would receive a firm salary quote based on location of position and qualifying experience. Attorneys are eligible to promote from Attorney 1 through 4 with service and acceptable job performance.

*Summary of Geographical Pay Rate Differences.

Application Instructions

You may submit individual applications for each position you’re applying for, or you may submit one application and list all respective position numbers for which you want to be considered. Multi-position applications may address our office as “Civil Division Recruitment.”

Email your complete application to [email protected].

Include the following documents:

1. Cover Letter: List the position number(s) you are applying for
2. Resume: Include a complete history of education; professional work experience with dates (MM/YYYY); and the states and admission dates (MM/YYYY) for each bar license you have
3. 3 Professional References
4. 1 Professional Writing Sample
5. If you are a current or recent State of Alaska employee, please also submit your most recent performance evaluation.