Assistant Attorney General - Complex Litigation Division

at  State of Washington Attorney Generals Office

DESCRIPTION

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.
All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General’s 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 Office’s Annual Report which can be found HERE and view THIS VIDEO.

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 $76,752 and $149,508. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG 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 opportunity for an experienced attorney interested in litigating significant issues that face our State and the nation. This position will be located in downtown Seattle, Olympia or Tacoma depending on the needs and interests of the person hired to fill this role.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Five or more years actively litigating civil cases in state and federal courts;
• Superior interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills;
• Exceptional ability to advance legal arguments by writing persuasively, concisely, and respectfully; and
• A demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage issues of a diverse and complex legal nature.

To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA’s Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; and be licensed to practice law in Washington state. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission by motion will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant’s 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.

DUTIES

Attorneys in the Complex Litigation Division work on some of the Office’s most challenging and high-profile cases including affirmative federal litigation. The Division is currently leading multistate litigation to protect and increase access to medication abortion, and will remain at the forefront of the fight to protect Washingtonians reproductive rights. The Division has a lengthy history of challenging federal government action, including litigation related to the prior administration’s “public charge” rule, border wall, family separation policy, “conscience rule,” 3D-printed ghost guns, Title X, student visa rule as well as pandemic-era public school funding and aid for thousands of Washington students.
The Division also litigates cases such as Washington’s lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic; challenges to the constitutionality of the State’s law restricting gun magazine capacity size and the law banning the sale of assault weapons; a campaign finance enforcement action against Meta related to its sale of political advertisements; challenges to the State’s forest management and marbled murrelet conservation plans; and the enforcement of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.