Assistant Attorney General - Child Protection Division – Appellate Attorney

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Assistant Attorney General

Child Protection Division – Appellate Attorney

Opening Date:  October 16, 2026

Closing Date:  Until Filled

Job Class Code:  0186

Grade:  1 

Salary: Salary competitive and based upon qualifications*

*Pursuant to 5 MRS § 196 the salary for this position has been set by the Office of the Attorney General

Position # 006000536

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Office of the Attorney General is seeking a full-time appellate attorney. This attorney must have exceptional writing skills and must also be able to efficiently work through voluminous trial court records and lengthy transcripts. This attorney must be prepared to write precise and effective motions and briefs. This attorney must be comfortable with the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure and the mechanics of building appendices. This attorney must have well-formed workflow practices and must be able to complete tasks by their deadlines. This attorney must have outstanding oral advocacy skills suited specifically to appellate arguments. The work of this attorney is sophisticated and complex. It can involve administrative appeals in the State’s Superior Courts as well as occasionally responding to Petitions for Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. It may involve district court litigation as needed. Most of this attorney’s work will be done in the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. This entails writing 60 to 80 briefs per year as well as performing several live-streamed oral arguments per year. This is the most visible position in the Child Protection Division and often leads to opportunities to provide training and participate in workgroups, panels, and committees. Child protection appeals involve issues of constitutional import. This attorney must be able to craft arguments that honor the balance between a child’s right to safety, a parent’s fundamental rights, and the interests of the State in ensuring that children are free from abuse and neglect.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must be fully admitted members of the Maine Bar in good standing, who are experienced writers and oral advocates. Impeccable writing, editing, case-tracking and time-management skills are required.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

If you are interested in applying for this position, prepare a cover letter not exceeding one page that highlights your experience and qualifications.

Include your resume, three professional references, and a writing sample that is either a motion or brief and is entirely your work product. Complete online application and submit a copy of your Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar certification.

Please direct all questions to Assistant Attorney General Ariel Piers-Gamble at [email protected].

BENEFITS

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  

• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value). 

• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program. 

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time. 

Maine State Government and the Office of the Attorney General are Equal Opportunity employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.