The Department of Law provides career opportunities for a wide range of analyst, criminal paralegal, paralegal, administrative and office professionals, administering expertise, support and core services essential to the day-to-day operations of the Department's civil, criminal and administrative divisions.
Public Advocate Utility Analyst
Public Advocate Utility Analysts are non-attorney professionals that provide research, analysis, written testimony, and presents oral testimony that allows the Attorney General to advocate on behalf of the public interest in utility and pipeline matters that come before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Responsibilities include analysis of the following: rate proposals; proposed terms and conditions of service; integrated resource plans; and utility and pipeline policy issues. This position works closely with attorneys, administrative staff, and consultants.
Paralegal Specialists are advanced paralegals who perform their paralegal duties with minimal supervision. Paralegal Specialists perform extensive research (legal, factual, historical, and legislative) and complex tasks in support of attorneys engaged in administrative adjudication or litigation in both state and federal courts. Paralegal Specialists may manage other paraprofessionals. They must possess strong research, analytical, writing, and computer skills as well as an ability to manage multiple large or complex tasks.
Joining the workforce at the Department of Law for the State of Alaska is a unique opportunity to work in the State's largest law office on a diverse range of cases and matters with other talented professionals in a teamwork environment. Since I began working with this Department I have been impressed by the wealth of knowledge, experience, and talent that has graced our offices. There is a sense of professionalism and camaraderie that exists that is evidenced in the quality of the work as well as the professional respect between colleagues. Our work directly impacts both the practice of law as well as government operations, and as a paralegal I value the contribution that I make through my work on civil cases and other agency matters. Since the beginning of my employment with the Office of the Attorney General I have been consistently involved in matters that impact agency policy and practices throughout the state, as well as contributing to cases that result in new case law or changes to other legal precedent, which I find both professionally rewarding and inspiring.
Kimberly Halstead, Paralegal Specialist
Criminal Paralegal
Criminal Paralegals are the backbone of the Criminal Division. They serve members of our community directly impacted by crime, help crime victims navigate the often complex criminal justice process, and are an integral part of the prosecution team.
Working with our Attorneys, our Paralegals guide victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process, including by establishing and maintaining contact with victims and witnesses, explaining their rights, keeping all case parties informed of the legal process, serving as a liaison with other agencies and preparing individuals to testify. Criminal Paralegals also provide vital support to the prosecuting attorney by conducting research, drafting legal documents and managing discovery.
As a Criminal Paralegal you will make a difference in someone’s life and can take pride in knowing you have assisted members of your community. The work you will be part of will have a direct impact on promoting safe and secure communities throughout Alaska.
Photo courtesy of Criminal Paralegal Crystal Locke
My position as a criminal paralegal allows me to grow as a person while serving my community. I find it rewarding to be able to serve/assist victims and witnesses as they navigate the justice system in often challenging times. Being a criminal paralegal with the Department of Law has provided me a great balance between desk work and face to face interactions with those effected by criminal activity in my community.
Crystal Locke, Criminal Paralegal
Civil Paralegal
Civil Division paralegals perform specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. This type of work includes performing legal research, fact investigation, drafting legal documents, document management in litigation and in response to a Public Records Request, managing witnesses, and providing trial support.
The Law Office Assistant in the Department of Law is an integral part of the legal process. After joining our team, Law Office Assistants are trained in-house on diverse legal processes over a multitude of legal areas. They are partnered with attorneys whom they assist on active litigation and advice matters. Some Law Office Assistant I/II positions apply style conventions, court rules, and statutes to successfully finalize legal documents which are then filed in court. Other Law Office Assistant I/II positions primarily compile data, draft correspondence, and produce legal reports. Law Office Assistants help get their attorneys where they need to be, when they need to be there, and equipped with the materials needed to succeed. All of this represents vital work in the defense of the State, it’s agents, and State programs.
Law Office Assistants III are veteran support staff with a firm grasp of how to navigate the legal system. In this role, Law Office Assistants work independently and of a high degree of self-motivation to manage casework: this includes completing high priority, sensitive, and complex tasks as well as planning ahead to anticipate upcoming deadlines. Law Office Assistants III are adept enough to offer legal support to secondary projects/teams and to learn and apply court rules to new types of casework in short time. Law Office Assistants III supervise the Law Office Assistants I/II, provide generalized and specialized training, review performance, and direct professional development plans.
I’ve been a Law Office Assistant I for the Bethel District Attorney’s office for three years. I enjoy the environment, different responsibilities, and fluctuating priorities. I like interacting with clients on the phone, drafting important legal documents, and communicating with outside agencies. I previously worked at the Women’s Shelter, as a Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Advocate. I find it extremely rewarding to hear victim’s reactions when they are notified about the guilty verdict because I am aware of the long process and traumas they have gone through to get to that very moment, I love seeing victims get the justice they well deserve. I’m extremely grateful that I am a part of this close-knit office. Supervisors take the time to do hands on trainings whether for the ADAs, Paralegals or the LOAs. I am glad that I’m a part of a wonderful team.
Molly Graham, Law Office Assistant
