Assistant Attorney General

Social Justice Division
Environmental Protection Bureau – Albany or New York City
Assistant Attorneys General
Reference No. EPB_AAG_3761

Application Deadline is February 14, 2025

Prior experience litigating environmental and energy cases and knowledge of state and federal environmental statutes is not
required. This position is an excellent opportunity for litigators to laterally transition to an environmental justice and environmental

litigation practice while joining a supportive and collegial team of professionals working together to protect the rights of all New
Yorkers to clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities.

The Office of the New York State Attorney General’s (OAG) Environmental Protection Bureau is seeking litigators to serve
in the Albany or New York City offices. This position involves representing the state in environmental, public health,
and energy matters in lawsuits in state and federal court, and in proceedings before administrative agencies. The
Environmental Protection Bureau enforces state and federal environmental laws that protect New Yorkers’ rights to
clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities, and conducts investigations into violations of those laws.
The bureau is focused on advancing environmental justice throughout the state, including addressing the
inequitable distribution of pollution and other environmental health burdens, and associated health disparities. The
bureau also defends in both federal and state courts the state’s executive agencies charged with environmental
responsibilities, including the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, and Transportation; the
Adirondack Park Agency; and the Lake George Park Commission, among others. The bureau is a national leader in
multistate federal environmental advocacy and litigation.

This opening is primarily for attorneys interested in affirmative litigation and investigations to enforce state and
federal environmental laws and regulations. Recent matters handled by the bureau’s attorneys include leading a
multistate coalition in litigation to defend EPA’s greenhouse gas emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power
plants; a natural resource damages action to recover for the lost use of a public park in an environmental justice
community as a result of illicit dumping; advocating for national standards to protect workers from extreme heat;
lead paint hazard enforcement in low-income residential housing; and school bus engine idling enforcement.
Attorneys also develop and litigate contaminated site cleanup cost recovery actions, and recently negotiated
agreements regarding the decommissioning and cleanup of nuclear power plants and surrounding sites that are
viewed as national models.

Qualifications:

• Applicants should have some experience litigating in federal or state courts, including performing several of

the following: writing briefs (or portions of briefs), performing document review, conducting depositions or
other witness examinations, appearing in court, and conducting or participating in settlement negotiations.

• Alternatively, the bureau will also consider applicants who have completed state or federal court clerkships

as a substitute for hands-on litigation experience.

• Excellent research, reasoning, and writing skills, including completing quality writing assignments in a short

timeframe.

• Comfortable arguing (or learning to argue) before a court.
• Self-directed with the ability to independently manage assignments, deadlines, and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, particularly when engaging with members of the

public, scientific and technical staff, expert and fact witnesses, administrative agencies, and other members
of litigation teams.

• A demonstrated commitment to public service.

The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
We are seeking a diverse pool of candidates who are creative thinkers with strong writing, analytical, and

organizational skills as well as a demonstrated commitment to public service and social, economic, and criminal
justice. Applicants who are members of groups underrepresented in attorney roles, which include but are not limited
to Black, Latinx, Indigenous American, Asian and Pacific Islander persons; women; persons with disabilities; and
LGBTQ persons are particularly encouraged to apply. Fluency in other languages is a plus, but not required.

Applicants must reside in (or intend to soon become a resident of) New York state and be admitted to practice law in
New York state. In addition, the Public Officers Law requires that OAG attorneys be citizens of the United States. A
two (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.

The salary range for this position is $81,159 - $173,265 $3,400 in location pay (New York City location only). To learn more
about attorney compensation, please visit the following page:

ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/assistant_attorney_general_compensation.pdf

As an employee of OAG, you will join a team of dedicated individuals who work to serve the people of our state
through a wide variety of occupations. We offer a comprehensive New York state benefits package, including
paid leave, health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits, and family-friendly policies. Additionally, OAG offers a
robust Workplace Flexibilities Program with multiple options for employees, including telecommuting (up to two
days per week) and alternative work schedules.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.

How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online.

To ensure consideration, applications must be received by close of business on February 14, 2025.
Applicants must be prepared to submit a complete application consisting of the following:

• Cover Letter

You may address your letter to the Legal Recruitment Unit.
Please specify you location preference: Albany or New York City.
Indicate why you are interested in this position and what makes you a strong candidate. You may

wish to include information about what life experiences you will bring to the position that will
enhance OAG’s ability to better serve the diverse population of this state.

• Resume
• Legal Writing Samples

• Please provide at least two writing samples (in the form of a brief, memo of law, or other

advocacy piece you have largely written) that best demonstrate your legal writing and analytical
abilities.

• Please upload these as one document using the field that is provided.
• List of three (3) references

• Only submit professional references, supervisory references are preferred.
• For each reference, indicate the nature and duration of your relationship.
• Include contact information and email addresses for each reference.
• Please note that your references will not be contacted until after you interview for the position.
  

If you have questions regarding a position with OAG, the application process, or need assistance with submitting your application, please contact

Legal Recruitment via email at recruitment@ag.ny.gov or phone at 212-416-8080.