Counsel for Tobacco and Public Health

Who We Are:

Founded in 1907, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) serves as the national forum for attorneys general and their staff to collaboratively address issues important to their work and provides resources to support the work of the offices of attorneys general in protecting the Rule of Law and the United States Constitution. NAAG fosters an environment of “cooperative leadership,” helping attorneys general respond effectively – individually and collectively – to emerging state and federal issues. NAAG emphasizes a commitment to professional excellence and the quality of life for our employees.

We are looking for a Counsel for Tobacco and Public Health to join our team.

The Job Brief:

Counsel provides legal advice and support to the 52 Settling States on issues involving the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), tobacco statutes, and any related regulatory issues. Counsel must possess strong critical thinking and legal writing skills, exercise sound judgment, communicate clearly with client states on complex legal issues, and be able to build consensus and lead discussions among the 52 client states.   Counsel must be able to handle novel legal issues, analyze complex problems (both legal and economic), prioritize on-going client requests, complete work quickly even in the absence of deadlines, exercise leadership on matters as needed, and work as a team member to accomplish the overall goals and responsibilities of the Tobacco Center.  This position reports directly to the Chief Counsel and works closely with all Counsel in the Tobacco Center.

A Typical Day May Look Like This:

• Provide legal advice to the Settling States on matters related to the MSA and other regulatory matters dealing with tobacco and nicotine issues.
• Research and analyze issues, draft briefs and memoranda, and communicate with the 52 Settling States regarding public health or payment issues under the MSA and litigation in which the validity of the MSA or any related statute is at issue.
• Participate in negotiations with tobacco companies that are parties to the MSA regarding issues arising under the MSA or related statutes.
• Participate  in negotiations with companies seeking to settle with the Settling States and become parties to the MSA (“Participating Manufacturers”) and preparation for review by states of documents necessary for such settlements.
• Participate in development and enactment of state and federal legislation necessary to implement the MSA’s provisions.
• Plan for and participate in meetings mandated by the MSA between tobacco companies and the Settling States, NAAG meetings, and Tobacco Center seminars and trainings for state personnel.
• Communicate with public health groups, investment community, press and other stakeholders in matters regarding the MSA and related legislation.
• Participate in training programs for state attorneys general personnel.
• Work in support of state public health enforcement analyses and claims.
• Provide legal advice and review of Participating Manufacturer compliance with MSA and associated agreements.
• Oversee MSA payment administration—verification of sales and shipment volumes as reported by Participating Manufacturers, updating notice parties, brand listings, analysis of payments.
• Communicate with states through the Tobacco Center wiki portal including providing new materials and monitoring on-going matters.

Is This You?

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Bar membership in a U.S. jurisdiction
• 3+ years of experience as an attorney handling complex litigation or high-level transactional matters
• Preferred:  Experience working in attorney general's office or comparable government agency
• Advanced proficiency working with Microsoft Excel in the analysis of data, spreadsheets, and computations on data sets
• Experience with public health issues
• Experience planning and delivering courses for attorneys or other persons in the legal field
• Ability to understand and analyze complex factual and legal situation
• Ability to work independently with minimal administrative support and a genuine desire to work as part of a team. 
• Technologically savviness and a willingness to learn new software and platforms

The Counsel for Tobacco and Public Health position is eligible for remote work. This position requires extensive travel (40% of the time, domestic and international). NAAG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. 

Terrific Total Compensation Package:

• Salary range starts at $110,000.00 and is commensurate with experience and budget availability.

• NAAG offers a generous benefits package which includes paid time off, health, dental, vision, life/disability, long-term care, and 401k retirement plan.

To Apply:

We invite you to apply today! Please click “Apply” below and please be sure to submit a Letter of Interest (seriously, this is important and required) and your resume.

NAAG believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to our success.
We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.