Assistant Attorney General Licensing & Administrative Law Division, Olympia
Thurston County, WA - USA
Job Summary
Description
- Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at . Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1- or .
All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney Generals Office serve a crucial role in the protection of the state its people and resources thereby providing an incomparable degree of job satisfaction. The AGO is composed of diverse collegial and supremely talented legal professionals who are resolute in their commitment to public service and share the common goal of advancing the public interest. For more information about the AGO we encourage you to review the Offices Annual Report which can be foundHERE.
The Office appreciates the benefits of a healthy life-work balance as well as a respectful inclusive and diverse workplace. Successful candidates will join an Office in which every person is committed to providing exceptional legal services and where individual professional development is encouraged and supported. The exceptional benefits of joining the AGO include:
- 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 $82212 and $153996. The exact amount is set in accordance withAppendix B of the AWAAG CBA
- The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st perArticle 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA
- Flex schedules and telecommuting options
- A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGOs 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
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TheLicensing and Administrative Law Division (LAL) of the WA State Attorney Generals Office seeks two (2) attorneys to serve as an Assistant Attorney General handling litigation and client advice. The LAL Division is a collegial collaborative environment providing opportunities for a great variety of legal experiences and individual and professional growth.
About the Division:LAL is comprised of 22 attorneys and 15 professional staff located in Olympia and Seattle sections.
LALs work touches the lives of all Washingtonians and focuses on promoting public safety protecting the economy and preserving public trust in government. The division provides legal advice and litigation services to three large clients the Department of Licensing Employment Security Department and Liquor and Cannabis Board as well as multiple smaller agencies and boards. LAL prosecutes administrative actions against individuals and businesses under the states licensing and regulatory laws governing drivers and approximately 45 professions businesses and occupations and handles issues relating to unemployment and paid family and medical leave benefits and taxes long-term support services and cannabis alcohol and tobacco/vapor products. LAL provides a range of litigation and advice services on dynamic interesting and challenging issues.
LAL prides itself as an energetic collegial and high-performing organization of professionals who strive to provide the most ethical and high-quality legal services to our clients. We strive to consistently exemplify AGO core values: delivering high-quality legal services; conducting ourselves with integrity professionalism civility and transparency; and promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace that values respects and supports our employees. We enjoy our work our colleagues and our clients.
LAL strives to make professional growth a priority and to allow employees to develop their practice in areas of law that interest them while still meeting divisional and clients business needs. LAL attorneys are encouraged to take on more responsibility and subject matters as their careers progress including training leadership and professional addition LAL supports a healthy work-life balance and offers flexible schedules and telework opportunities.
Both AAG positions offer the opportunity to handle a mix of litigation and advice.
Duties
AAG Position #1
- This entry-level position is responsible for independently litigating appeals under the Administrative Procedure Act including appeals from unemployment insurance benefit decisions and appeals under the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act as well as appeals from driver license suspensions under Washingtons implied consent laws.
- The successful candidate will also assist LAL colleagues handling more complex litigation and advice involving significant and high-profile legal issues.
- Typical work of this position includes managing all aspects of varied litigation; conducting legal research; drafting legal pleadings including briefs to the superior court and appellate courts; making appearances in court and before administrative boards and commissions; and supporting colleagues on significant advice and litigation.
- The assignments for this position will increase in variety and complexity in time including litigating for different clients or programs and independently advising clients while continuing to coordinate with colleagues on significant issues.
- Litigation experience and/or experience with unemployment or paid family and medical leave or driver licensing or other regulatory enforcement issues or administrative law practice while a plus is not a requirement.
AAG Position #2
- This mid-level attorney position requires a minimum of 3-5 years of legal experience.
- The successful candidate will handle a variety of litigation cases to include appeals under the Administrative Procedure Act defending original litigation in state and/or federal court for mandamus injunctive declaratory or damages relief against client agencies and officials at times on significant legal and high-profile issues.
- The successful candidate will also provide legal advice to LALs clients which may include advising on significant and high-profile issues with broad impacts across Washington including rulemaking legislation contracts open government issues and tribal/sovereign-to-sovereign and intergovernmental relations.
- Typical work of this position includes managing all aspects of varied litigation; conducting legal research and drafting motions and briefing; propounding and answering discovery; making appearances in court and before administrative boards and commissions; developing and maintaining positive client relationships; providing written and oral options-based legal advice and risk assessment on a range of issues; and attending meetings with agency staff managers and external individuals and entities. The attorney will closely collaborate with other attorneys and staff.
- Experience with litigation or advice on contracts and procurement issues in the public sector open government issues and/or with Indian law or tribal/sovereign-to-sovereign and intergovernmental relations is preferred but not a requirement. Willingness to practice in different areas and to handle a mix of litigation and advice is required.
These are full-time positions located in Olympia and involve occasional travel depending on hearing and meeting locations.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General we seek candidates with the following competencies:
- Communicator: Strong oral and written communication skills understanding of ones audience and strong interpersonal skills;
- Problem-Solver: Skill in identifying and resolving problems including excellent research and analytical skills and ability to exercise appropriate judgmentpaying attention to detail while aware of big picture perspective and the need for inclusion of others affected by decisions;
- Self-Starter: Ability to multitask and prioritize workload stay organized work independently meet tight deadlines and provide timely client services; and
- Professional: Demonstrated ability to maintain productive working relationships to meet administrative responsibilities and to work collaboratively with team members to promote a positive work environment that recognizes and respects all employees.
In addition to the competencies above we seek the following competency for the mid-level attorney position:
- Skilled Practitioner: Experience in or aptitude for litigation at the administrative state superior or federal district court or appellate level; and demonstrated ability to provide high-quality options-based risk assessment and client advice.
Applicants must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBAs Rule 6 Law Clerk Program and; be licensed to practice law in Washington State. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and areactivelypursuing admission will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicants background talents attitude and enthusiasm for public law practice. The AGO greatly encourages celebrates and values diversity appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment strengthens positive relationships with the local community and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfill its mission of providing excellent independent and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people.Supplemental Information
These AAG positions are represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28 AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $82212 and $153996. The exact amount is set in accordance withAppendix B of the AWAAG CBA. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical/dental insurance plans retirement life and basic long-term disability 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 AGOsenvironmental policies.
Interested applicants must apply by hitting the apply button addition to the on-line application one must upload via the system and preferably as PDFs:
- A letter of interest;
- Resume;
- Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) with date law degree was conferred; and
- Writing sample (10 pages or less).
To learn more about this opportunity you are encouraged to contact Division Chief Eric Peterson at or .
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The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information please visit.For awareness The AGO complies with employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9 and the selected candidate for these roles on the first day of employment must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the Unities States consistent with the requirements of form order to proceed in the consideration process at AGO you will need to provide work authorization that would not require the AGO to sign a cooperative education agreement with a school. If you have any questions about this requirement please contact the Talent Acquisition Consultant assigned to this recruitment.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 age sex marital status sexual orientation race creed color national origin honorably discharged veteran or military status or the presence of any sensory mental or physical disability or the use of a trained 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.Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1- or.For questions regarding the application process please contact. If you are having technical difficulties creating accessing or completing your application please call NEOGOV toll-free at or.
Required Experience:
Junior IC