Attorneys

The Office of Public Advocacy hires new and experienced attorneys to represent indigent clients in a range of cases: criminal, juvenile delinquency, Child in Need of Aid, guardianships, appeals, post-conviction relief, and more.

Compensation includes a comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement, and a minimum of five weeks of paid leave. Salary range is commensurate with experience and dependent on location (COLA included):

20% pay increase as of 10/31/2022 -

• Anchorage, Kenai, Palmer: $82,914.00 - $128,544.00 annually
• Bethel: $124,371.00 - $192,816.00 annually
• Fairbanks: $85,410.00 - $132,405.00 annually
• Juneau: $87,067.50 - $134,979.00 annually

Benefits Information: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/benefits/

We are currently accepting applications for attorneys in multiple locations and for multiple positions. Openings for attorney positions are posted below.

Statewide

Contract Attorney (Multiple Locations)

The Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) is looking for contract attorneys to handle civil, appellate, and criminal matters on behalf of the agency and its various sections. OPA provides legal advocacy and guardianship services to vulnerable Alaskans in addition to providing attorney services to indigent clients in conflict criminal cases received from the Public Defender Agency.

Contract attorneys are expected to work cases in a fully competent, high-quality manner and see them through to completion. Contracts are issued on either a flat fee or hourly basis, and payment is processed every month.

Certain case-related expenses such as travel, interpretation services, and expert witness are reimbursable with prior approval, while general office costs such as postage and office supplies are not reimbursable. Contractors must be active members of the Alaska bar, possess an active State of Alaska business license, and maintain professional liability insurance to be eligible for contract work.

For more information and to apply, please contact Jonathon Torres at jonathon.torres@alaska.gov.

Anchorage

Attorney II-IV, Office of Public Advocacy, Anchorage Civil Section

The Office of Public Advocacy is recruiting for an Assistant Public Advocate to serve as attorney/guardian ad litem (GAL) in the Anchorage Civil Section (ACI). The successful applicant will serve as a GAL in child-in-need-of-aid, custody, adoption, guardianship, and criminal cases. In addition, the attorney will provide legal advice and representation to non-attorney GALs, participate in appeals to the Alaska Supreme Court, and along with other attorneys in the section provide backup for delinquency cases. The attorney may also participate in committees directed at improving the child protection system.

Candidates should possess:

• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Proficiency in legal research.
• An understanding and appreciation of different cultures and family situations.
• The ability to develop a positive rapport with children, parents, social workers, tribal representatives, teachers, and other professionals and volunteers involved in children's lives.
• The ability to handle high conflict situations professionally and calmly.
• Exceptional organization and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage a large and varied caseload.
• Trial experience.
• Working knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act, state child-in-need-of-aid law, family law, and education law.

The Office of Public Advocacy is committed to hiring a diverse work force and all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Salary range is commensurate with experience, between $90,012 and $130,650 annually. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample to mel.urban@alaska.gov. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications electronically. Application packets may also be mailed to Melony Urban, Supervising Attorney, Office of Public Advocacy Civil Section, 900 West 5th Ave., Suite 525, Anchorage, AK 99501.

Attorney II-IV - Office of Public Advocacy, Appeals and Statewide Defense

The Office of Public Advocacy, Appeals and Statewide Defense Section (ASD), is currently hiring an attorney to represent indigent clients in Child in Need of Aid (CINA) cases, as well as in a mix of juvenile delinquency matters and criminal trial cases. Our unit also handles criminal appeals, post-conviction relief applications, and some guardianship proceedings, so there are many opportunities to diversify your practice according to your interests.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience working with indigent clients, litigating CINA or related cases, and handling a high-volume caseload. We also prioritize a dedication to high-quality representation of our clients, a desire and ability to work in a close-knit team environment, and a willingness to cross-train in areas outside your specific practice to assist your coworkers when necessary.

This is a flex Attorney II-IV position based in Anchorage, but there may be opportunities for travel throughout the state. Compensation includes comprehensive benefits: a minimum of five weeks of paid leave, retirement, and medical, dental, and vision insurance. Some moving expenses may be reimbursed. Salary range is commensurate with experience, between $90,012 and $139,542 annually.

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and references to brooke.berens@alaska.gov. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Fairbanks

Attorney II-IV - Office of Public Advocacy, Conflict Counsel Fairbanks

The Office of Public Advocacy Fairbanks Conflict Counsel section has an Attorney II-IV position open. The Fairbanks Conflict Counsel section represents parents and children in child-in-need-of-aid (CINA) cases, respondents in guardianship cases, children in juvenile delinquency cases and indigent criminal defendants charged with all levels of criminal offenses. We are zealous advocates for our clients in and out of court and utilize a client centered approach.

The Fairbanks office is currently composed of three attorneys, one paralegal, and one LOA. We work together as a team to advocate for our clients throughout the entirety of their cases. A Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited university is required, as well as bar licensure in Alaska or the ability to become licensed through reciprocity. This position will remain open until filled with a suitable candidate.

All interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume and writing sample to office supervisor Megan Comolli electronically at megan.comolli@alaska.gov.

Palmer

Attorney II, Office of Public Advocacy, Long Term, Non-permanent

The Office of Public Advocacy, Palmer Criminal Section is hiring for an Attorney II position that focuses primarily on Child in Need of Aid matters. If interested, the candidate could also handle juvenile delinquency, adult criminal defense, or parent representation in non-CINA custody cases.

Our office handles cases from around the state, with focus on Glenallen, Valdez, and Cordova. Some intrastate travel is occasionally required. The position is long term, non-permanent and includes benefits such as paid leave and health care benefits. Prior applicants have typically held this position for at least a year before moving on to a permanent attorney position. Applicants must be admitted to the Alaska Bar or eligible to take the Alaska Bar Exam.

Interest applicants should provide a resume, writing sample and brief statement of interest to olivia.mackin@alaska.gov.

Non-Attorney Staff

The Office of Public Advocacy hires Guardians Ad Litem, Public Guardians, and other non-attorney staff, including legal investigators, paralegals, and law office assistants. Job postings for these positions are found on Workplace Alaska. Current job openings can be found below.

Anchorage

On-Call Law Office Assistant

The Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) is seeking an on-call Law Office Assistant to provide clerical and legal support to our administrative section’s case assignment unit. This is a non-benefited position that offers a flexible work schedule in a fast-paced, friendly, and professional work environment.

The successful candidate will possess strong organizational skills, be detail and goal-oriented, and possess a strong work ethic. Prior legal experience is preferred. OPA is a very fast-paced work environment where the ability to prioritize workloads and meet competing deadlines is essential.

The position’s duties include, but are not limited to:

• Draft, type, format, edit, and proofread correspondence and legal documents in a variety of formats;
• Track incoming case assignments and assist with distributing emails to OPA’s various sections;
• Research case discovery to aid in conflict analysis;
• Assemble appellate briefs along with other case-related documents;
• Prepare files for archiving

The position's salary is $19.98/hour. Interested candidates must possess one year of clerical experience and should email a cover letter, resume and writing sample to Amy Hoagland electronically at amy.hoagland@alaska.gov. This position will remain open until filled with a suitable candidate.