Attorney IV

Class Concept

Employees in this class independently perform highly advanced litigation and legal support work for the State. Under the supervision of a section head, employees are assigned to highly significant, complex, and protracted civil, criminal, and administrative cases in state and federal courts and research and issue legal opinions on the highly complex and sensitive questions posed to the office of the Attorney General. At this level, cases involve major state and federal constitutional issues, public policy concerns, or issues that may have extreme impact on state financial resources, natural resources, or a wide segment of the general public. Employees work independently in determining case strategy, developing litigation tactics, and conducting litigation. Employees may oversee other attorneys who assist in the investigation, research, or other phases of their cases. Work includes the analysis of case law in a field to determine trends that may affect litigation or lead to recommended changes in state laws and regulations. Employees perform related duties as required.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of case, statutory, regulatory, and common law.
• Thorough knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures.
• Ability to conduct complex civil or criminal litigation in trial and appellate courts.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and court decisions.
• Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.
• Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to determine issues in various cases.
• Ability to analyze complex legal problems and render formal opinions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to creatively develop case strategy and tactics.

Minimum Education and Experience

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and four years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.

NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.