Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Environmental and Natural Resources Crime Unit

Description

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other ​​statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.

One of Attorney General Brown’s top priorities is public safety. As such, the OAG is expanding its Criminal Division and is looking for talented, hardworking individuals who are interested in being a part of that expansion, as we create an even bigger and better Criminal Division to collaborate with local, State, and federal partners to help combat violence, the opioid epidemic, fraud, corruption, and environmental hazards, and keep Marylanders safe.

The OAG’s Criminal Division is now seeking applicants for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in its Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit (ENRCU). The ENRCU handles investigations and prosecutions of a wide range of environmental and natural resources crimes throughout Maryland. The ENRCU prosecutes individual and corporate defendants in situations where deceptive and willful action or inaction caused or could have caused significant environmental harm, the destruction of natural resources, or substantial risk to public health. Staff for the Unit includes a Unit Chief, a Senior Assistant Attorney General, two Assistant Attorneys General, a Chief Investigator, an investigator, and a paralegal.

The AAGs in the ENRCU, including this position, are responsible for working in a collaborative, vertical prosecution model to select cases, develop evidence, and bring prosecutions involving illegal pollutant discharges to Waters of the State, , the illegal disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, oil discharges, asbestos and open burning violations, falsifications of reports and applications, permit violations, thefts, frauds, and other crimes including significant and multijurisdictional natural resource violations. The AAGs work closely with criminal investigators and attorneys within the Criminal Division and from other local, state, and federal agencies, including Natural Resources Police and the Environmental Protection Agency. The AAGs in ENRCU review referrals and complaints for criminal sufficiency, collaborate with investigators on complex investigations, coordinate with law enforcement and prosecutorial partner agencies, draft and present criminal charging documents, and represent the State of Maryland in the handling of all stages of prosecution.. Periodic statewide travel for court appearances and collaborative meetings will be required as necessary.

Classification: Assistant Attorney General II

Experience: The ideal candidate will have at least four years of criminal litigation experience. Specific experience with complex criminal investigations and prosecutions is ideal, especially with regard to environmental law and/or natural resource law. The ideal candidate will have passion for investigative and trial work, strong abilities to build and maintain relationships with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement, along with excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. Maryland Bar membership, or the eligibility to waive in immediately, is required.

Pro Bono Commitment: The Office of the Attorney General expects its attorneys to demonstrate a sustained commitment to pro bono service. Applicants should have a demonstrated record of meaningful pro bono engagement or a sincere interest in pro bono work as a professional obligation. Once hired, Assistant Attorneys General are expected to fulfill that commitment throughout their employment with the Office through active participation in OAG’s Stephen H. Sachs Pro Bono Program or other qualified opportunities. The OAG supports attorneys in meeting the goal set by the Maryland Supreme Court, MD Atty Rules § 19-306.1(b), by allowing up to 50 hours work-time to be used for approved pro bono activities.

Submission: Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of three professional references, including at least one current or former supervisor. Please note that this job posting will come offline at 6:00 p.m. EST on the closing date.

Telework: Hybrid Work – Two in-office days weekly.

Employment Benefits: Working for the Office of the Attorney General offers a competitive benefits package designed to support your health and well‑being.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: The Office of the Attorney General views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving professional excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible, and are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the practice of law and professional careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The OAG is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.