Assistant Attorney General – Special Litigation Unit

Oregon Department of Human Services

Assistant Attorney General defending Oregon statutes, agencies, and officials in complex civil litigation. Leading motions, discovery, depositions, expert witnesses, and trials for high-profile state matters.

Posted 8/4/2026full-timePortland • Oregon • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $9,063 - $17,597 per monthWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in complex civil litigation, including environmental law and constitutional claims, with strong legal research and writing skills. Capable of managing high-intensity caseloads while maintaining excellent client communication and balancing frequent court appearances.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Complex Civil LitigationEnvironmental LawConstitutional ClaimsLegal Research and WritingClient Relationship Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Civil LitigationMotion PracticeDeposition Taking and DefendingDiscovery SupervisionBrief WritingTrial ExperienceExpert Witness IdentificationClass-Action LitigationElections LawConstitutional Challenges

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationClient ManagementInterpersonal SkillsOrganizational Skills

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Membership in Oregon State Bar

Industry Keywords

High-Profile LitigationState and Federal CourtsComplex CasesDiverse Subject MatterLegal Actions

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Handle complex and high-profile litigation for the Special Litigation Unit
Defend state statutes and policies against constitutional challenges in state and federal courts
Handle complex class-action, elections, environmental, and other high-profile or sensitive litigation
Lead complex civil cases and manage a high-intensity caseload
Work closely with the Attorney General’s office and state agency leaders
Handle extensive motion practice
Identify and interview expert and lay witnesses
Take and defend depositions
Supervise and examine voluminous discovery
Try cases
Communicate directly with clients and manage multiple client relationships
Balance frequent court appearances and active motions practice while maintaining client communication

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least three (3) years of experience in civil litigation
Willingness and availability to travel throughout the State for court appearances and other case-related work, including overnight stays away from home
Active membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar prior to appointment, or reciprocity in progress at the time of application
At least five (5) years of experience in civil litigation requested
Significant experience with complex civil litigation requested
Experience with environmental law, constitutional claims, elections law, or legally complex civil actions requested
Experience working on cases involving diverse subject matter and areas of law requested
Experience writing complex briefs and arguing issues in state and federal court requested
Extremely strong legal research and writing skills
Ability to balance frequent court appearances and active motions practice while maintaining excellent client communication
Experience communicating directly with clients and managing multiple client relationships
Resume, cover letter, and writing sample of no more than seven pages required for application, except writing sample may be waived for current Oregon DOJ attorneys

Benefits

Comp & perks

Base salary range of $9,063.00–$17,597.00 per month
Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members receive a 6.95% base salary increase
PERS employee contribution of 6%
Benefits package
Accommodation during interviews for applicants requiring it
Equal opportunity and commitment to workplace diversity
Broad opportunities to work on significant and complex legal issues
Career satisfaction and professional prospects