Assistant Attorney General – Licensing & Administrative Law Division, Olympia

Description

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.

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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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 

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The Licensing and Administrative Law Division (LAL) of the WA State Attorney General's Office seeks an attorney 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.

LAL is comprised of 22 attorneys and 15 professional staff that are located in the Olympia and Seattle sections. 

LAL’s 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. LAL prosecutes administrative actions against individuals and businesses under the state's 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 recreational marijuana and liquor. LAL also represents multiple boards and commissions, including: the Boards of Accountancy, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship, Consumer Directed Employer Rate Setting, Industrial Insurance Appeals, Pollution Control Hearings, Shorelines Hearings, and Growth Management Hearings; the Lottery, Judicial Conduct, and Interpreter Commissions; and, the Public Records Exemption Accountability (Sunshine) Committee. LAL provides a range of litigation and advice services on dynamic, interesting, and challenging issues. 

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 development. In addition, LAL supports employees maintaining a healthy work-life balance and offers flexible schedules and telework opportunities.

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.

Duties

This position reports to an LAL Olympia Team Leader and offers the opportunity to handle a mix of litigation and advice. The successful candidate will chiefly handle a variety of litigation cases, to include appeals under the Administrative Procedure Act from professional licensing regulatory enforcement and from benefits and tax decisions; and, 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. This position also advises a wide range of clients on a wide range of issues, independently and as a member of a team.

Duties performed include managing all aspects of varied litigation, conducting legal research and drafting motions and briefing, propounding and answering discovery, and making appearances in courts, and with lesser frequency, 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. 

This full-time position is located in Olympia, and involves occasional travel, depending on hearing and meeting locations.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the following competencies are required:

• Communicator: Strong oral and written communication skills, understanding of one’s audience, and strong interpersonal skills;
• 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;
• Problem-Solver: Skill in identifying and resolving problems, including excellent research and analytical skills and ability to exercise appropriate judgment—paying 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.

Experience with litigation or advice experience related to LAL’s caseload or administrative law, with legislation and rulemaking, with contracts and procurement issues, including in the public sector, with open government issues, and/or with Indian law, are preferred but not a requirement. Willingness to practice in different areas, and to handle a mix of litigation and advice, is required.

Supplemental Information

This AAG position is 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 $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix 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 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 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 EricD.Peterson@atg.wa.gov or (206) 389-2799. 

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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 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 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.