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Working Title: Assistant Attorney General - Wage Theft Division

Job Class: S2 (Attorney General's Office)

Agency: Attorney General's Office

+ **Job ID** : 86460

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes, hybrid

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Limited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 05/24/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 06/10/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Attorney General's Office

+ **Division/Unit** : Attorney Gen. / Wage Theft

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : No

+ **Staff Attorney 1 Salary Range:** $36.40 - $57.47 / hourly; $76,003 - $119,997 / annually

+ **Staff Attorney 2 Salary Range:** $50.53 - $78.30 / hourly; $105,506 - $163,490 / annually

+ **Staff Attorney 3 Salary Range:** $54.12 - $83.57 / hourly; $113,002 - $174,494 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Unclassified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 221-excluded all others

+ **End Date** : Up to 2 years

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

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 2025, has been recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota for four years in a row and Top Workplace USA for four years in a row.

The Office is currently seeking an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) to join the Wage Theft Division which is housed in the Consumer Protection Section of the Office. As a wage theft attorney, you will have the opportunity to serve some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable and underserved communities. While the Division’s work is for the benefit of all Minnesota workers, much of the Division’s enforcement actions are focused on unlawful wage and hour practices that target vulnerable and low-wage workers across the state, including immigrant communities and people of color. In this position, you would be at the forefront of cutting-edge labor enforcement work that has a direct, measurable impact on the lives of Minnesota workers.

Wage theft attorneys can expect to participate in high-profile investigations and litigation in industries such as the gig economy, hospitality and restaurants, construction, healthcare and agriculture. Such cases include, for example: State v. Shipt, Inc. (allegations of misclassification of gig-economy “shoppers” as independent contractors); In re Bartmann Companies (failure to pay overtime and back wages to restaurant employees); and State v. Property Maintenance & Construction, LLC, et al. (allegations of intimidating construction workers from cooperating with investigation).

This position offers engaging, interesting, and fulfilling work well-suited to the experience level and interests of individual AAGs. The Division does a good job of balancing the staffing needs of various investigations and cases with the interests of AAGs in particular subjects and industries. AAGs are encouraged to take on more responsibility as their careers progress, and will receive ongoing training, leadership opportunities, professional development, and mentorship opportunities to support their growth.

If you are offered this position, you can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over your daily work while also working with teams of attorneys who complement and cover for each other. As an experienced AAG you will lead your own investigations and all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motion practice, oral argument, and resolving cases through trial or negotiated settlements. You will be expected to manage your caseload to ensure matters are moving expeditiously. You will also be expected to engage in public education and outreach to impacted communities, stakeholders, and advocates. As a result, you will need to be able to interact with and understand persons from diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment (combination of in-office work and telework).

This is a limited position expected to last 1–2 years, depending on available funding. Extension beyond this period is not guaranteed but may be possible if additional funding is secured.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Graduation from a law school accredited by the ABA and actively licensed in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota or current licensure within another state with ability to transfer licensure within 90 days of hire

+ Outstanding writing, research, and oral advocacy skills (submission of a writing sample is required)

+ Three or more years of civil litigation experience

+ Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders

+ Experience using electronic files, case management tools, and e-discovery platforms

**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.

To be considered at the S2 level, candidates must have at least 6 years of directly related experience. To be considered at the S3 level, candidates must have at least 12 years of directly related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Five or more years of complex civil litigation experience

+ Knowledge of state and federal labor law

+ Experience:

+ handling cases involving wage and hour issues

+ investigating and building cases for litigation, including government civil law enforcement action

+ Experience or academic background in economic rights and justice

+ Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or other relevant language for Minnesota’s population

Although labor, wage, and hour law experience is a strength, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is particularly interested in applications from litigators generally. Attorneys with experience in class action litigation, employment litigation, commercial litigation, or other litigation fields are encouraged to apply. Attorneys who lack the above-listed experience, but who have other experience that they believe would be relevant to the Division’s work are also encouraged to apply. The Wage Theft Division may waive the need for significant litigation experience for attorneys who have significant experience in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, construction, and/or experience serving traditionally marginalized or underserved communities.

Physical Requirements

+ Ability to move and transport such articles as files, laptop computer and resource materials weighing up to 20 pounds

Additional Requirements

It is our policy that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. This background check may consist of the following components:

+ Conflict of Interest Review

+ Criminal History Check

+ Education / License Verification

+ Employment Reference / Records Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made 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 [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.