Attorney

Salary: $116,699.98 - $175,049.97 Annually
Location : Downtown Minneapolis
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26CAO341TF046
Department: County Attorney's Office
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Central


Description


The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is seeking to fill an experienced Attorney position in the Youth Prosecution division and to create a list for future vacancies in both criminal prosecution and civil divisions. Our office is committed to promoting a just system grounded in fairness, equity, and compassion.


Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program.

Find us here at upcoming career fairs! Location and hours: This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, with typical hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.

About this position type:
This is a full-time, benefit-earning position.
This position is internally classified as an Attorney.
Click to view the job classification specification.


Criminal background checks: Applicants with convictions are not automatically disqualified. Each case is considered on its individual circumstances and the type of work.

In this position, you will:
Attorney - Prosecution

• Prepare cases for prosecution of criminal statutes and/or fraud cases for prosecutions.
• Try criminal cases and prosecute appeals.
• Interview prospective complainants and police officers relative to the violation of statutes and filing of complaints.
• Prepare briefs, opinions, pleadings, and other legal papers; confer with attorneys, other county employees and other interested parties regarding criminal prosecutions.
• Conduct necessary legal research; keep case records and make reports; perform necessary research, work investigations, and preparation of briefs for the trial of cases involving criminal prosecution.

Attorney - Civil

• Represent Hennepin County, departments, officials, and related entities (including Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.) on civil claims and in civil litigation, in state court, federal court, or other forums. This may include investigating facts, responding to complaints, preparing petitions related to civil commitment, reviewing petitions related to child protection, preparing and arguing motions, conducting discovery and depositions, attending meetings at which you would represent the office and/or the client agency, and handling hearings, trials and any appeals, including any necessary legal research.
• Provide legal opinions and advice to Hennepin County, its departments, officials, and related entities (including Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.), including any necessary legal research.
• Draft and advise on all manner of contracts, including real estate transactions, services agreements, joint powers agreements, and more.

Need to have:

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and two years of experience as an attorney.

Nice to have:

• Criminal legal experience (prosecution or defense).
• Civil and major litigation and civil counsel experience (advisory or transactional).
• Experience working in a public law office.
• Knowledge of:
  • Applicable court rules of procedure and the rules of evidence.
  • Local laws and ordinances, established precedents, and legal reference sources.
  • The principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation.
  • Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
  • The pleading and practice of effective presentation of court cases.
• Ability to:
  • Provide excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and persuasive public speaking skills.
  • Charge criminal cases.
  • Independently try cases.
  • Establish effective working relationships and collaborate with other county departments.
  • Analyze and apply legal principles to specific situations.

About the department:
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is a fierce advocate for justice and equity, pursuing holistic community safety and providing quality legal services through evidence-informed practices and collaborative problem solving.


We prosecute crimes with fairness and integrity. We advocate for victims of crime by seeking meaningful accountability and supporting healing. We use preventive and restorative approaches to address the complex root causes of crime and violence. We engage with partners to pursue system accountability. And we provide proactive and innovative legal services in the areas of mental health, child support, child protection, and civil legal representation for Hennepin County to advance the County's efforts to reduce disparities and enhance the quality of life of our community.


About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.


Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).

Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.

Your future. Made here.

This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.

Watch this video for application best practices and tips.

This position may have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data.

Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a criminal background check.


If you have any questions, please contact:
Talent Acquisition division
Hennepin County Human Resources department
Submit a request at or View phone number on click.appcast.io
Why work here?


Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including:

• Meaningful work
• Public service
• Competitive pay
• Work-life balance
• Generous benefits
• Opportunities to grow
• Commitment to your success

By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.

If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
01


This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, with typical hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
Are you willing to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02


Which of the following areas are you interested in? Check all that apply.

• Criminal Prosecution only
• Civil Practice only
• Both Criminal Prosecution and Civil Practice

03


What is your current licensing status to practice law? Check all that apply.

• Not licensed to practice law at this time
• Licensed to practice law in the state of Minnesota
• Licensed to practice law in another state

04


List the state(s) you are licensed to practice law and your respective attorney's license number(s) and expiration date(s). If you are not licensed to practice law, type "None" in the space provided.
05


Have you ever been disciplined by the Minnesota Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility or by a like authority in any other state?

• Yes
• No

06


Describe any disciplinary action taken by the Minnesota Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility or by a like authority in any other state. If you do not have any disciplinary action taken by the Minnesota Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility or by a like authority in any other state, type "None" in the space provided.
07


How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have as a licensed attorney?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more, but less than 6 years
• 6 years or more, but less than 7 years
• 7 years or more

08


Describe your experience as a licensed attorney, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
09


How many full-time equivalent years of licensed criminal prosecution experience do you have?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

10


Describe your licensed criminal prosecution experience, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
11


How many full-time equivalent years of trial experience do you have?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

12


Describe your trial experience, referencing positions listed on your application/resume; this may include estimates of the number of jury and/or court cases tried to verdict. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
13


In which of these settings do you have attorney experience? Check all that apply.

• Adult Prosecution - Adult serious felony crimes
• Adult Services
• Appeals
• Child Protection
• Child Support
• Civil Counsel (advisory or transactional)
• Community Prosecution - Drug and Property offenses
• Investigations and Intelligence, including wage theft and gun crimes
• Tried cases independently
• Youth Prosecution
• None of the above

14


Do you have experience working in a public law office?

• Yes
• No

15


Describe your experience working in a public law office, including the number of years of experience you have working in a public law office, referencing positions listed on your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type in "None" in the space provided.
16


Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.

• College or university (job board, career services, or instructor)
• Community or nonprofit organization (counselor, job board, etc.)
• Employee or recruiter of Hennepin County (supervisor/manager, colleague, or Human Resources)
• Friend or family member that is not a Hennepin County employee
• Hennepin County job notification emails
• Indeed.com
• Job fair or networking event
• LinkedIn
• Print advertisement (flyer, postcard, billboard, transit ad, etc.)
• Professional association (ASCE, APWA, ISACA, etc.)
• Social media (Handshake, Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.)
• hennepin.jobs or governmentjobs.com

17


For the recruitment source selected above, please provide the specific name of the person, website, or media source.
Required Question