Assistant Attorney General

Description

Under the general direction of the Attorney General, this position requires legal professional work which is related to innumerable legal areas.

Work in this class is performed in accordance with established rules, policies and procedures; however, an employee is expected to exercise initiative and judgment in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the position. An employee is expected to appear before the courts on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands in criminal and civil cases; to render written opinions on legal questions related to the various government departments and agencies; and to prepare legal documents and instruments in which the Government of the Virgin Islands has an interest. All work is subject to review by the Attorney General while in draft form, upon his or her request.

Duties and Responsibilities

DUTIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

• Appears for and represents the executive branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands in all civil and criminal proceedings in which the Government has an interest.
• Prosecutes all offense against the law of the Virgin Islands in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.
• Represents the Government of the Virgin Islands in all appeals before the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands and federal appeals courts.
• Performs legal research regarding representation before the courts in behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
• Interviews witnesses, victims and law enforcement officers to ascertain facts of each case and correlates findings to prepare cases before the courts.
• Provides legal advice to all executive departments, boards, commissions, agencies, instrumentalities and officers of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
• Drafts pleadings, briefs, motions, orders and other court related documents required for prosecuting cases.
• Researches and drafts legal opinions related to the government departments and their operations.
• Drafts regulations, contracts and other legal instruments in which the Government of the Virgin Islands has an interest.
• Reviews legal instruments prepared by other government attorneys and advises as to legal sufficiency.
• Prepares correspondence related to innumerable legal areas. Attends conferences related to innumerable legal areas.

Performs other related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited  law school, having  earned  a LLB  or J.D. degree,  and  admission  to practice before the highest  court of any state or territory.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

• Professional knowledge of the principles and practices of law.
• Thorough knowledge of the application of legal research including electronic research tools.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines and follow-up with minimum direction.
• Ability to identify legal issues.
• Ability to apply applicable law to facts and draw logical conclusions.
• Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, make sound decisions and present ideas and information clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems. Ability to prepare, present and conduct hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and objectivity.
• Ability to write reports, motions, briefs and other legal documents.

Benefits

The DOJ offers a competitive benefits package.