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.
The OAG is seeking an accomplished attorney to serve as Deputy Principal Counsel to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). This position has supervisory responsibilities and assists the Principal Counsel with office management and the coordination, assignment, and completion of legal work by assigned attorneys who provide advice and counsel on a wide variety of education law issues. MSDE is responsible for overseeing Maryland’s 24 local school systems, regulating more than 7,000 childcare providers, and administering the State’s vocational rehabilitation programs. The legal team represents MSDE in administrative hearings as well as in State and federal courts and provides reasoned, timely guidance on matters involving regulatory compliance, educational policy, and major operational and programmatic initiatives.
The Deputy Principal Counsel is responsible for delivering comprehensive legal advice across all areas of MSDE’s work, including litigation, regulatory matters, administrative actions, procurements, personnel, grants, contracts, and other complex business and operational issues. The role directly supervises six Assistant Attorneys General and one Administrative Officer, while the Principal Counsel supervises an additional six attorneys and two Administrative Officers.
Together with the Principal Counsel, the Deputy Principal Counsel ensures that legal work across this broad and diverse portfolio is accurate, consistent, and aligned with MSDE’s mission and strategic priorities. In partnership, they also carry out the Division’s leadership responsibilities, including providing clear direction, mentoring and developing staff, making sound personnel decisions, managing resources effectively, delegating appropriately, and fostering a positive and inclusive team culture. Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership skills, a commitment to staff development, and engagement in pro bono initiatives.
This role offers the opportunity to work closely with agency leadership and a highly skilled legal team on a wide range of complex, high-impact issues affecting students, families, educators, and institutions across Maryland.
Classification: Assistant Attorney General VI
Experience: The ideal candidate will have at least eight years of legal experience as an attorney, including substantial experience in litigation, regulatory work, and providing legal advice to senior leadership. Strong writing, analytical, and supervisory abilities are essential, as is the capacity to manage complex and fast-moving legal matters with sound judgment. Admission to the Maryland Bar or the ability to waive in is required.
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.