Positions Available - American Samoa Office of the Attorney General

Håfa Adai.

Please see below, job positions available at the American Samoa Office of the Attorney General.

Senseramente,
GBA Admin Support Staff


American Samoa (AS) is a U.S. Territory, located six hours from Hawaii, with a population of 55,000. The Territory follows U.S. federal law as well as local law. The Office of the Attorney General is responsible for representing the Territory in both Civil and Criminal legal matters. Our Civil Division provides both general counsel to government departments and representation in litigation. Our Criminal Division prosecutes all crimes in the Territory, from traffic violations to major felonies. Our attorneys enjoy a relaxed, casual environment in a beautiful tropical setting.

We are currently accepting resumes for the following Assistant Attorney General (AAG) positions within our Civil and Criminal Divisions:
 

CIVIL DIVISION: experience desired in the following areas:

• Civil Litigation

• Employment Law

• Workers Compensation Defense

• Personal Injury Defense

• Medical Malpractice Defense

• Real Estate Litigation

• Child Support enforcement

Responsibilities:AAG's represent the American Samoa Government (ASG) in a variety of civil matters. A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail is required. Responsible for initiating and defending civil actions, which includes preparing pleadings, interviewing clients and witnesses, preparing for and conducting administrative and judicial hearings, as well as legal research and writing. The areas of practice generally include torts, contract, civil procedure, workers’ compensation defense, appellate, constitutional, and other areas of law as needed to defend the Territory and its interests. This position also includes such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Attorney General.
 

CRIMINAL DIVISION: Experience desired in following areas:

• Felony prosecutions

• Misdemeanor prosecutions

• Juvenile prosecutions

Responsibilities: AAG's represent the ASG in felony, misdemeanor and/or juvenile prosecutions. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail is required. Responsible for prosecuting crimes in the territory and such duties include reviewing police reports, preparing pleadings, interviewing victims and witnesses, meeting with police officers and investigators, negotiating pleas and preparing for and conducting judicial hearings (including first appearances, probable cause hearings, motion hearings, status conferences, trials and sentencings). This position also includes such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Attorney General.
 

Mandatory Qualifications for ALL positions:

• Juris Doctorate and Bachelor’s Degree required

• Member in good standing of a state bar in the United States

• Minimum of 2 years of experience of demonstrated increasing responsibilities with additional experience preferred

• Commitment to high-quality legal work

• Well-organized with good analytical skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, and able to work in a team environment

• Self-starter with proven experience as a member of a litigation or prosecutorial team

• Demonstrated case analysis ability a must

Additional Qualifications for Civil Division positions:

• Significant substantive and procedural motion practice, including in a judicial clerkship

• Strong and successful legal research and writing skills

• Record of proven negotiation and settlement skills

• Ability to budget costs and calculate exposure with substantive and procedural legal knowledge

• Client-focused and client-relation skills required

Additional Qualifications for Criminal Division positions:

• Experience with prosecutorial case management software and willingness to employ use of same in one's role as prosecutor (preferred, but not required)

• Experience working with police officers

• Experience with directing and monitoring efforts of criminal investigators

Hired applicants off-island receive two-year employment contracts (which are renewable). The annual salary is $60,000. In addition to salary, two-year contract employees receive the following benefits:

• Furnished housing (nominal cost to employee is $25.00 per week)

• Travel to/from American Samoa at beginning and end of contract (including family members)

• Shipping allowance for personal effects (as set by regulation)

• Medical and dental coverage

• Generous annual leave (26 days per year) and sick leave (13 days per year)

• Contract renewal bonus

TO APPLY:

If interested in either position, please submit a resume, a writing sample, a list of 2-3 references, and a cover letter detailing position interested in, relevant qualifications, summary of professional experience, motivations for change of employment, why you wish to live in AS, and ability to expedite relocation to AS.

Visit our website to apply at https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/employment or you can email us at job@la.as.gov.
 

Posting can be viewed via the American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/americansamoadepartmentoflegalaffairs/posts/599042327572102