Assistant Attorney General

Tort Litigation Unit

Civil Litigation Division

Posting Date:   May 8, 2025                                                     Closing Date:  May 22, 2025

Job Title:   Assistant Attorney General V                                  Position Type:  Regular, Full-Time

Salary:  This position offers a salary range of $89,913 - $131,467, with potential for advancement up to $145,141 based on qualifications, equity, and hiring guidelines. Initial salary offers are determined by qualifications, experience, and available budget, and typically do not exceed $131,467.

Location:    Office of the Attorney General, Tort Litigation Unit, Civil Litigation Division  200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

Telework: A hybrid remote telework and in-office schedule option is available per applicable policies and procedures.

DESCRIPTION:  The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State's legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland's 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.

The Civil Litigation Division defends the State and its employees in both state and federal courts in the most significant civil cases the State confronts, while also taking strategic legal action on behalf of the State. Beyond litigation, the Civil Litigation Division also serves as a trusted resource – offering legal guidance, coordination, and support to other divisions within the OAG. The Civil Litigation Division consists of more than 30 attorneys across several units, including the Federal Accountability Unit, the Contract Litigation Unit, the Tort Litigation Unit, and the Correctional Litigation Unit.

The Tort Litigation Unit is currently seeking a strong litigator. This unit defends the State and state personnel against tort claims filed in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Cases routinely have parallel state and federal constitutional and statutory claims, adding depth and complexity to the work.  

Attorneys on this team take on substantive litigation responsibilities in all aspects of defense litigation, including independently handling cases, drafting and responding to written discovery, taking and defending depositions, drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs, and appearing in court for motions, hearings, and trials, to include serving as first chair on trial teams. There is substantial contact with the client agencies and individual clients. The position requires broad knowledge of civil trial and pretrial processes and relevant civil litigation experience.

EXPERIENCE:  The ideal candidate will have at least four years of legal experience along with exceptional analytical, research, and communication skills (written and verbal). We are looking for candidates with broad civil litigation experience and a strong grasp of civil trial and pretrial processes. Prior experience in tort litigation or as litigation counsel to a government agency is preferred. Candidates should be highly motivated, organized, and able to handle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Membership in both the Maryland Bar and the Federal Bar (or the ability to waive in) is required.

SUBMISSION:  Interested people should submit the following documents by email, in pdf format: (1) a cover letter; (2) a resume; (3) one writing sample; and (4) a list of at least three references, one of whom must be a previous supervisor or mentor. Submissions must be emailed to Kirstin Lustila, Unit Chief, at KLustila@oag.state.md.us, by close of business on Thursday May 22, 2025.  Please write “Tort Litigation Unit AAG Vacancy" in the subject line of the email.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR REGULAR POSITIONS:  The successful candidate will be eligible for subsidized health benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage) and life insurance; leave, including annual (vacation), personal, sick, and paid parental leave; and will be eligible for participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after ten years. State employees are eligible to participate in two supplemental retirement plans: the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. The State also offers a free mass transit benefit for local bus and express bus services.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:  The OAG is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING:  The Office of the Attorney General views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving professional excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible, and are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the practice of law and professional careers.