Job Title: Unit Chief Position Type: Regular, Full-time
Salary: $116,548 to $188,528. The salary range is based on a multitude of factors including applicable personnel rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Location: Office of the Attorney General, Correctional Litigation Unit, Civil Litigation Division
200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, Maryland 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.
Responsibilities
The OAG is seeking candidates for the position of Chief of the Correctional Litigation Unit within the Civil Litigation Division. The Correctional Litigation Unit handles federal lawsuits brought by current and former incarcerated individuals. The lawsuits are brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, raising federal constitutional claims under the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments, or alleging violations of federal statutes, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. These lawsuits may have ancillary State constitutional claims or State common law tort claims, such as negligence. The position will provide representation in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Maryland trial courts, and state and federal appellate courts. The duties will include all aspects of defense litigation, including independently handling cases, taking and defending depositions, written discovery, drafting briefs, and appearing in court for motions, hearings, and trials. The position will manage an extensive motions practice involving complex litigation and supervise the litigation of the other attorneys in the unit. Prior experience with correctional litigation matters or civil rights matters is preferred. The Unit Chief will supervise a team of attorneys, a paralegal, and an administrative assistant.
The Civil Litigation Division manages significant litigation involving the State, its agencies, or officials as parties. This includes defending the State and its employees in both state and federal courts, as well as initiating legal actions on behalf of the State. The Division also offers support, coordination, and legal guidance to other divisions within the Office of the Attorney General concerning civil litigation handled across the office.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have at least eight years’ experience, membership in the Maryland Bar (or the ability to immediately waive in) and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and strong analytical and writing skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in civil litigation, along with proven success in managing teams of attorneys with varying levels of experience. This role involves providing guidance, constructive feedback, and mentorship to foster professional growth, while also handling HR and personnel matters such as performance management and team operations. The successful candidate will be skilled at balancing team leadership with high-quality legal work, creating a supportive and efficient environment. Experience supervising others, training, and handling matters at both the federal and state levels is preferred.
Application Process
Interested persons should electronically submit a resume, a cover letter, a writing sample, and references, all in PDF format, by close of business on December 30, 2024 to Robert A. Scott, Division Chief, at rscott@oag.state.md.us and Mary Scanlan at mscanlan@oag.state.md.us. Please write “Unit Chief – Correctional Litigation Unit Application” in the subject line.
