Assistant Attorney General, Director of the Agency of Transportation Legal Unit
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office (AGO) seeks a talented and motivated attorney to lead the team providing legal services to the Agency of Transportation (AOT), the second largest agency in state government. AOT directly serves all Vermonters by maintaining the State’s transportation infrastructure including highway, rail, and aviation assets, as well as the operations at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The candidate selected for this position will provide general counseling services directly to AOT, conduct litigation, and be responsible for managing the AOT Legal Unit, which consists of six attorneys (including the Director) and two paralegals.
AOT Legal Unit attorneys appear in federal and state courts, as well as administrative forums, including Natural Resources Board district environmental commissions, the Transportation Board, and the federal Surface Transportation Board. The Unit counsels and represents AOT on a wide variety of legal matters, including eminent domain and property owner compensation, permitting and land use, real estate transactions, federal regulation, sign law, Public Records Act requests, employment matters, and civil rights. The Unit also provides general counseling services to the Travel Information Council, the Traffic Committee, and the Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board.
This embedded Assistant Attorney General position is organizationally within the AGO’s General Counsel and Administrative Law Division, and physically located at AOT headquarters in Barre, Vermont. Association with the AGO provides access to resources of the State’s largest law firm and a collegial legal environment. The position is supervised by the Chief of the General Counsel and Administrative Law Division.
The successful candidate must be a member in good standing of the Vermont bar or eligible to obtain admission by waiver. Candidates should have at least five years of legal experience, excellent client communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team. A familiarity with environmental, administrative, and transportation law and regulations will be favorably considered. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to manage a litigation caseload and provide general counseling. Prior litigation, supervisory experience, and strong writing skills are assets, as is the ability to effectively collaborate with fellow professionals in fields such as civil engineering, real estate appraisal, and law enforcement.
This position will remain open until filled. Please respond by sending your statement of interest, resume, a brief writing sample, and references to the AGO, attention Jessica Mishaan: jessica.mishaan@vermont.gov. Please mention “Director – Transportation Legal Unit” in your email.
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office and Agency of Transportation celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. Employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions are forbidden.