Assistant Attorney General | Public Interest Division

The Public Interest Division furthers the Attorney General’s statutory and common-law powers to protect and represent the public interest regarding public-benefit nonprofit corporations, election laws, charitable trusts and funds, property designated for charitable beneficiaries, charitable solicitations, state museums, public-records requests, Open Meetings Act violations, and false claims involving state funds.

The division’s attorneys handle a variety of civil actions in state and federal court, both at the trial and appellate-court levels.  The attorneys will defend actions in some instances and bring complaints for injunctive relief in others.  The attorneys engage in all levels of discovery, dispositive-motion practice, and trials.  The attorneys may also file briefs and argue before the Tennessee Court of Appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Division attorneys are expected to:

  • Analyze a wide range of constitutional, statutory, and common-law sources of law to recommend action or non-action in a variety of matters or to formulate defenses in suits brought against the State;
  • Write clear and concise memoranda recommending courses of action to be taken by the Office;
  • Draft strong and persuasive pleadings, motions, memoranda of law, and briefs;
  • Argue persuasively in court before judges, chancellors, and three-judge panels;
  • Have effective time-management skills while carrying fast-paced caseloads with multiple, overlapping court deadlines;
  • Work seamlessly and well with both support staff and leadership staff, including positively receiving and engaging the constructive feedback provided by leadership staff, who in turn strive to foster an open and supportive atmosphere for training, direction, and formation; and
  • Possess excellent client-relationship skills, as the division works with a number of governmental agencies, the Governor’s Office, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Juris Doctorate degree and Tennessee bar admission, or ability to apply for admission without examination.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Solid legal research skills.
  • Ability to become proficient in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and general online records management.
  • Interest in civil litigation.

TO APPLY:

Please submit your application materials, including your cover letter, résumé, contact information for at least 3 professional references, legal writing sample, and law school transcript to pete.sullivan@ag.tn.gov.

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Assistant Attorney General – Public Interest Division

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws. Offers for this position will be contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check.