Assistant Attorney General
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Posting Date: August 27, 2025
Closing Date: September 26, 2025
Job Title: Assistant Attorney General VI
Position Type: Regular Full Time
Salary: This position offers a salary range of $104,519 - $147,451, with potential for advancement up to $162,800 over time based on longevity and increased responsibilities. Initial salary offers are determined by qualifications, experience, equity, and available budget, and will not exceed $147,451.
Location: Office of the Attorney General, Maryland Department of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401
Telework: A hybrid remote telework and in-office schedule option is available per applicable policies and procedures.
DESCRIPTION: The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
The Office of the Attorney General is seeking an experienced attorney to join the OAG team at the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the environment, including the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The AAG will provide legal advice and counsel to officials charged with administering programs within MDA’s Office of Resource Conservation. These programs are primarily focused on nutrient and sediment reductions on agricultural land and thereby, instrumental in assisting the State meet its goals for reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment outlined in the State’s Watershed Implementation Plan for the Bay. This includes providing advice and counsel to officials charged with administering: the Food Processing Residuals Utilization Program; the State’s Nutrient Management Program; and other programs within this office.
This is a new position and the first one dedicated to MDA’s Office of Resource Conservation. The attorney in this role will work closely with agency personnel and other AAGs at MDA. In addition to advising agency personnel, this person will be responsible for: representing MDA before the Office of Administrative Hearings in enforcement actions taken pursuant to regulatory programs that the Office of Resource Conservation administers; drafting regulations; and drafting and reviewing contracts and grant agreements related to programs administered by this office.
EXPERIENCE: The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of litigation experience. A demonstrated strength in legal analysis, persuasive writing, and courtroom advocacy is required. Candidates must have a proven ability to handle multiple, high-stakes cases simultaneously, manage client expectations, and develop and implement legal strategies that lead to favorable outcomes. Experience working with or advising on agricultural or environmental programs, policies, or regulatory frameworks, particularly those involving land use, conservation, or nutrient management is preferred. Knowledge of e-discovery platforms, particularly as they relate to managing large volumes of data and documents in complex litigation, will be an asset. Maryland Bar membership or the ability to waive in is required.
SUBMISSION: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references via email to: Thomas F. Filbert, Principal Counsel, Maryland Department of Agriculture, via thomas[email protected] and Justin Hayes, Deputy Principal Counsel, Maryland Department of Agriculture, via [email protected] by Friday, September 26, 2025. Please type “AAG VI Maryland Department of Agriculture” in the subject of the email.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR REGULAR POSITIONS: The successful candidate will be eligible for subsidized health benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage) and life insurance; leave, including annual (vacation), personal, sick, and paid parental leave; and will be eligible for participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after ten years. State employees are eligible to participate in two supplemental retirement plans: the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. The State also offers a free mass transit benefit for local bus and express bus services.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The OAG is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING: The Office of the Attorney General views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving professional excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible, and are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the practice of law and professional careers.