Section Chief - Complex Litigation Division, Seattle and Tumwater

State of Washington

Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

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 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 - MAAG1 salaries are set between $86,328 and $161,700. 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 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

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TheComplex Litigation Division at the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has two openings for attorneys interested in managing a team of experienced assistant attorney generals and litigating significant issues that face our State and the nation. One position will be located in downtown Seattle, while the other will be located in Tumwater.

The Complex Litigation Division seeks attorneys with management experience, significant litigation experience, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. This position will lead high-profile cases. The holder of this position must be adaptable and possess strong lawyering, communication, and management skills. Skills required include mentoring and coaching attorneys; listening and communicating effectively both internally and externally; and actively participating in division leadership.

Attorneys in the Complex Litigation Division work on some of the Office’s most challenging cases. The Division has many ongoing cases challenging overreach by the federal government, including recent actions against HUD homelessness grants,public benefits programs,student mental health grants,gender-affirming care,FEMA disaster mitigation funding, the dismantling of HHS,teen reproductive health education, and public health grants. The Division has a lengthy history of challenging pastfederal government action,including leading multistate litigation to protect and increase access tomedication abortion. The Division will remain at the forefront of the fight to protect Washingtonians’ reproductive rights.

The Division also litigates cases such as Washington’s lawsuits againstgambling apps;lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic; challenges to the constitutionality of the State’s law restricting gun magazine capacity size and thelaw banning the sale of assault weapons;a campaign finance enforcement action; and challenges to the State’s forest management and conservation plans. The Division fulfills a leading role for the Office in the enforcement of the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement with ongoing arbitrations, which this position may support.

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.

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

Ten or more years actively litigating civil cases in state and federal courts, including discovery, motions practice under Rules 12 and 56, and trying cases to a verdict;
Demonstrated ability to mentor attorneys, foster teamwork and collaboration, and promote a positive work environment that recognizes and respects all employees; and
Exceptional ability to advance legal arguments by writing and orally arguing persuasively and respectfully.

Applicants 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 areactivelypursuing 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.

These Managing Assistant Attorney General positions are represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. Managing AAG1 salaries are set between $86,328 and $161,700. The exact amount is set in accordance withAppendix B of the AWAAG CBA. Positions located in King County are eligible for 5% King County Assignment Pay. 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'senvironmental 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) showing the date law degree was conferred; and
A Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Division Chief Jeff Rupert at Jeffrey.Rupert@atg.wa.gov or (206) 389-2116.

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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 visitwww.uscis.gov.
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 I-9. In 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 atHREmployment@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.

For questions regarding the application process, please contactHREmployment@atg.wa.gov. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 orsupport@neogov.com.