Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicants

Date Posted: 1/10/2024

Closing Date: 1/31/2024

Legal Assistant 1 Salary Range: $20.00/hourly

Job Summary

The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison has a clear mission: we help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect.  We are a dynamic group of dedicated professionals who choose public service as a calling, and we are actively and intentionally committed to supporting an internal culture that affirms that calling. The Office is one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and as of 2023, has been recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota for three years in a row and Top Workplace USA for two years in a row.

We seek law students from diverse backgrounds, with a variety of experiences and skills, and a sincere interest in serving the public. First, second, and third-year students are eligible for this law clerk position.

This law clerk position focuses on antitrust law in food and agriculture markets. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is offering law students a unique opportunity to work directly with Assistant Attorneys General and other staff of the AGO and gain hands-on experience including researching legal issues, drafting written product, and reviewing documents. This position allows law students to develop professional skills and expand their knowledge while performing meaningful and challenging work focused on antitrust issues in food and agriculture markets. We require our law clerks to assume a significant amount of responsibility over their files and put forth the very best work on behalf of the public. Although the Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation sponsors this position, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office directs the work of the law clerk, and the Minnesota Farmers Union does not have knowledge of and is not involved in the investigatory work of the clerk. The clerk will have the option of working with the Minnesota Farmers Union and other partners on legal education.

Applicants should be prepared to work 40 hours a week during a ten/twelve-week period beginning in June. Law Clerks will receive a salary of $20/hour. This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment.  

Minimum Qualifications

• Current student in good standing with an accredited law school
• Strong academic credentials
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills

IMPORTANT! All applicants must prepare two documents to upload and submit with their application: 1) Resume; and 2) A cover letter with a writing sample (of up to five pages) in one document.

• Ability to:
  • Adapt in an inclusive, creative, and collaborative work environment
  • Show excellent judgement, character, and work ethic  

How to Apply

Interested applicants must apply online through the State of Minnesota Careers website, which is the State’s official application and hiring site. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers;
2. Apply for posting number 72827
3. Direct Link

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact K.C. Moua at kc.moua@ag.state.mn.us or (651) 757-1279.

Why Work For Us 

Diverse Workforce

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence, fostering understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive service to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at (651) 259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.