Overview
Legal careers in state government help to ensure that laws and regulations are applied consistently. A legal professional in state government can support policy making, advocate for change, assist in the administration of court procedures, conduct research or facilitate negotiations.
Did you know that you can work in the legal profession without a law degree? Legal professionals come from many backgrounds, but they all share interest in using the law to support state government agencies. Whether you are a recent graduate, current law student or experienced attorney, there are opportunities for a meaningful career in state government.
This work is essential to keep state systems fair, functional and responsive. This field could be a good match for those who enjoy logical problem solving who want to use those strengths to serve the public.
What You Might Work On
In state government, professionals in this field often:
- Assist with litigation tasks, preparing filings, organizing evidence or supporting hearings
- Conduct legal research and analysis that supports state programs and policy decisions
- Manage case files, records and documentation used in administrative or regulatory matters
- Review case files, records and statutes to support state legal positions
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Like researching complex topics to drive change
- Enjoy using written and oral communication skills
- Want to make a meaningful difference through the legal system
Where You Could Work
State government is broad — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to make (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Criminal justice: Tennessee Department of Correction
- Regulatory enforcement: Washington State Office of the Attorney General, Labor and Industries Division
- Environmental protection: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Civil rights: Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division
Sample positions
Medicaid Attorney
| Employer / agency | Department of Health and Environment |
| Location(s) | Topeka, Kansas |
| Mission context | This role protects patients and ensures the integrity of the state’s Medicaid program by guiding inspections and supporting enforcement actions. |
In this role, you may:
- Support inspection teams by assigning cases, reviewing work and instructing inspectors on appropriate conduct
- Prepare investigative reports and records of all prosecutions and their disposition and of inspectional activities
- Provide expert consultation and interpretation of the interrelationships between state and federal laws and regulations regarding drugs and the practice of pharmacy
Assistant Public Defender
| Employer / agency | Justice Administrative Commission, Public Defenders Office |
| Location(s) | Gainesville, Florida |
| Mission context | Assistant public defenders safeguard constitutional rights by providing effective representation to people facing criminal charges who cannot afford an attorney. |
In this role, you may:
- Advocate for each client through critical analysis of cases, motion practice and jury trials
- Manage a high-volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients
- Advise and counsel clients to achieve the best result possible in their case
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship with clients and the legal community
Investigative Paralegal
| Employer / agency | Department of Justice, Civil Bureau |
| Location(s) | Concord, New Hampshire |
| Mission context | Investigative paralegals assist Civil Bureau attorneys by investigating claims and lawsuits associated with state agencies, boards and commissions represented by the Civil Bureau. |
In this role, you may:
- Initiate and conduct investigations in conjunction with attorneys, lawsuits relative to civil matters and employment law matters
- Review, analyze and/or interpret state statutes, rules and regulations, and various manuals and specifications to provide recommendations for use in legal cases and in providing assistance concerning agency legal issues
- Examine and analyze highly technical contracts as well as business, financial, personal and public records and documents to obtain and verify information
- Provide legal liaison services between state agencies and the attorneys to provide information and assistance
Attorney II
| Employer / agency | North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project |
| Location(s) | Bismark, North Dakota |
| Mission context | Attorneys with the Protection and Advocacy Project support the agency’s federally mandated purpose of protecting and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in North Dakota. |
In this role, you may:
- Provide legal representation to the project’s clients
- Research and develop legal opinions to assist non-attorney staff in representing clients
- Provide information and training to staff, consumers, parents and other professionals on legal rights issues
- Provide legislative and systemic advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities
