Description

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits and retirement plans
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
• Transparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between $78,240 and $146,556. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of theAWAAG CBA
• The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environment
• Health and wellness program
• Training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide

The Complex Litigation Division at the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has an extraordinary opportunity for an attorney interested in managing a team of experienced assistant attorney generals and litigating significant issues that face our State and the nation. This position will manage a team of assistant attorney generals in the Complex Litigation Division. This position will be located in downtown Seattle, WA.

The Complex Litigation Division seeks an attorney with management experience, significant litigation experience, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. The holder of this position must be adaptable and possess strong lawyering, communication, and management skills. The Division values teamwork and inclusion, and is committed to the training and professional development of its attorneys. Skills required include mentoring and coaching attorneys; listening and communicating effectively both internally and externally; and actively participating in division leadership.

Duties

As an Assistant Attorney General in the Complex Litigation Division, you can expect to work on some of the Office’s most complex and high-profile cases, including safeguarding access to reproductive health care in Washington; Washington’s lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic; campaign finance enforcement action against Meta related to its sale of political advertisements; innovative financial institution litigation focused on recovering the State’s unemployment benefits stolen during the pandemic, and a consumer protection action against JUUL related to its youth advertising. The Division has a lengthy history of affirmative federal litigation resulting in numerous successful nationwide injunctions.

The Division also litigates cases defending the constitutionality of state statutes as well as cases brought against state agencies, including challenges to the constitutionality of the State's law restricting gun magazine capacity size and the law banning the sale of assault weapons; challenges to the State's forest management and marbled murrelet conservation plans; and education-related litigation on public school funding. The Division fulfills a leading role for the Office in the enforcement of the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which includes ongoing arbitration hearings and appeals.

Duties of attorneys in the Complex Litigation Division include directing and assisting in investigations; drafting pleadings, motions, and memoranda from initial filing through post-judgment proceedings; depositions and all other aspects of discovery; presenting oral argument; and participating in trial and post-trial proceedings, including appeals, in state and/or federal court. The Division collaborates with many of the Office’s divisions, including the Solicitor General’s Office, on the cases it litigates. Our attorneys may be asked to represent the Office in public settings on matters that may be of a sensitive nature or that may carry elevated media interest.

The Complex Litigation Division is committed to the training and professional development of its attorneys, including significant opportunities for training, mentorship, and work with other divisions. Successful candidates will be given significant case responsibilities that are appropriate for their experience level. The Division’s work-life philosophy also seeks to support employees and maximize their performance through practical and workable solutions to balancing the demands of work and personal lives. Division staff are a supportive and collegial group that share a commitment to public service work and a desire to help each other succeed.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, qualified candidates must have:

• Ten or more years actively litigating civil cases in state and federal courts;
• Demonstrated ability to mentor attorneys, foster teamwork and collaboration, and promote a positive work environment that recognizes and respects all employees;
• Superior interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills;
• Exceptional ability to advance legal arguments by writing persuasively, concisely, and respectfully; and
• The demonstrated ability to facilitate issue resolution in a highly visible environment.

Supplemental Information

This Managing Assistant Attorney General position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. Managing AAG salaries are set between $78,240 and $146,556. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of theAWAAG CBA. Note that the position's location is King County and thus the person hired would be eligible for 5% King County Assignment pay per legislative action. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical/dental insurance plans, retirement, life and basic long-term disability insurance. In addition, there are non-financial benefits that include working in a collaborative and supportive work environment where professional development and work-life balance are highly valued. The health, safety and professional satisfaction of all AGO staff and volunteers is critical to fulfilling the mission of the AGO to provide exceptional legal services. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies.
Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system, preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• Writing sample.

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Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.
The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.