Attorney V

Class Concept

Employees in this class independently perform the highest, most advanced legal support work for the State in a variety of specialized legal areas. Under minimal supervision, employees are assigned cases in state and federal courts of the highest significance, complexity, and time duration in areas such as civil, criminal, administrative law, and others. They issue legal opinions on questions of the highest sensitivity 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 economic conditions, natural resources, a wide segment of the general public which might include other states or even nationally. Cases may be significantly high profile or lack precedent-setting case law or statutory dynamics. Employees operate with substantial discretion and are given extensive latitude in the use of strong initiative and independent judgment in determining case strategy, developing litigation tactics, and conducting litigation. Employees may lead other attorneys or a team of attorneys who assist in the investigation, research, or other phases of their specific cases. Work includes the analysis of case law in a specific field to determine trends and make forecasts 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 and ability to determine issues in various cases.
• Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to analyze complex legal problems and render formal opinions and ability to creatively develop case strategy and tactics.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to demonstrate strong initiative and discretion.
• Possess excellent skills in problem solving and project management.

Minimum Education and Experience

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and five 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.