Title: Section Chief, Correctional Litigation
State Role Title: Senior Assistant Attorney General
Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience
Pay Band: UG
Agency: Attorney General & Dept of Law
Location: Office of the Attorney General
Agency Website: https://www.oag.state.va.us/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Chief Objective:
The Chief of the Correctional Litigation Section plays a pivotal role in shaping legal strategies, advocating for the Commonwealth's interests in litigation, ensuring compliance with legal standards governing correctional operations, and advising on important legislative matters. The Section Chief is responsible for managing and supervising a Deputy Section Chief, approximately 12 Section attorneys, 7 paralegals, and 5 secretaries. This section represents the Commonwealth, the Department of Corrections, and its employees in hundreds of state and federal lawsuits and responds to advice requests from its clients – the Department of Corrections, the Virginia Parole Board, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. This position is based in Richmond, Virginia. The Office offers up to 2 days of telework per week after an initial probationary period.
A successful candidate has significant civil litigation expertise, knowledge of Virginia’s criminal justice system, knowledge of discovery practice and strategy, excellent verbal and written communication skills, good judgment in the context of advising on high stakes matters, and a strong interest in public service. We also seek a candidate with passion for mentoring attorneys in the section as they build skills, gain experience, and advance in their careers.
While some prior experience in correctional litigation is preferred, it is not required. We welcome applicants with robust experience in state and federal litigation, in federal 1983 litigation, in representing and defending government entities and employees, and in managing teams of attorneys and complex litigation.
Work Tasks and Duties:
• Supervises the Correctional Litigation attorney staff, consisting of attorneys, legal secretaries, and paralegals. The Section Chief assists in case evaluation, litigation decisions and daily administrative functions for the section. These responsibilities are coordinated directly with the Deputy Attorney General to ensure that administrative functions are completed in a timely manner and are applied uniformly across the unit.
• Assists Correctional Litigation attorneys daily to ensure quality legal work for the Commonwealth and monitors for the consistency of legal positions taken by the section. Advises attorneys in the section regarding positions, arguments, and strategic decisions on matters.
• Coordinates with the Deputy Section Chief to assign work to attorneys in the section, making adjustments in assignments or redistributing work as needed to ensure appropriate assignments and workloads.
• Consults with the Deputy on a regular basis concerning the status and operation of the section. Informs the Deputy and Director of the Department of Corrections of significant matters, including those with statewide ramifications, policy changes, and matters that may receive media attention.
• Works with each employee to ensure their skill development and exposure to a variety of opportunities and experiences necessary for advancement. Monitors the performance of attorneys in matters and provides feedback to promote skills development.
• Reviews formal and informal opinions prepared by section attorneys.
• Performs administrative tasks associated with section personnel management, including coordinating and conducting periodic evaluations, making recommendations for position and compensation adjustments, and reviewing travel vouchers and leave requests.
• Advises agency heads on complex issues, providing input based on prior dispute experience; responds to inquiries from agency heads and personnel regarding all aspects of correctional litigation.
• Provides in-depth legal and policy advice regarding various correctional litigation matters.
• Negotiates with other lawyers to resolve disputes and litigation. Where needed, coordinates with Special Counsel, expert witnesses and consultants for litigation.
• Provides legal advice and assistance to other attorneys in the Office in the areas of correctional litigation.
• Reviews, evaluates, comments upon and monitors legislative proposals introduced in sessions of the Virginia General Assembly.
• Ensures, through advising and presentations, that Commonwealth officials and employees are aware and up-to-date on the applicable laws related to the Correctional Litigation section.
• Handles other assigned duties and provides assistance to the Attorney General in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Office.
Minimum Qualifications
Special Instructions
Kindly utilize the Virginia Jobs website (https://www.jobs.virginia.gov) to submit your application. Applications sent to the Recruitment email address will not be reviewed for the hiring process. We do not entertain phone calls or emails inquiring about application status; instead, please login to the PageUp/RMS system for updates on your application's status.
Contact Information
Name: OAG Recruitment
Phone: 804-786-2071
Email: recruitment@oag.state.va.us
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
