Assistant Attorney General

Nacba; Kennewick (WA); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness program

Mentoring program

Public loan forgiveness program

Deferred compensation plan

Flexible schedules

Job summary

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office invites applications for an Assistant Attorney General position in the Juvenile Litigation team. Primary duties include representing DCYF in child welfare matters, applying the Indian Child Welfare Act, and advising on regulatory enforcement issues across several counties.

The role offers extensive training, mentorship, and opportunities to broaden experience with diverse clients while supporting work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required or anticipated.
• Strong litigation and client-advising skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, public-service environment.

Responsibilities

• Represent DCYF in child welfare cases in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights.
• Apply ICW/WA ICW Act in juvenile matters and provide regulatory counsel.
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial; manage case timelines.
• Coordinate with social workers and agency staff to advance cases.

Skills

Litigation skills

Legal research

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

Are you a recent law school graduate looking for an attorney position that offers extensive training, mentorship, and the opportunity to develop your litigation and client advice skills? Are you an experienced attorney looking for an opportunity to work for an agency supporting work/life balance? The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative office as an Assistant Attorney General with our Juvenile Litigation team. The successful candidate will receive training from our local subject matter experts, as well as participate in our statewide training and mentorship programs. While you will be primarily assigned to the Juvenile Litigation team, you will have the opportunity to expand your experience by also assisting with a wide variety of clients with new and varying issues.

The successful candidate can be located in either the Yakima or Kennewick office and will primarily represent the Department of Children, Youth and Families in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties. These communities offer affordable living costs, 300 days a year of sunshine, and ample opportunities for outdoor sports and activities.

Regional Services Division AAGs represent state agencies and higher education institutions. AAGs representing clients in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties represent the Department of Children Youth and Families, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Labor and Industries, Department of Licensing, Employment Security Department, Educational Service District #123, Columbia Basin College and Walla Walla Community College.The primary emphasis for this position is representing DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The work is remarkably rewarding, while difficult at times. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way. Cases also involve advising the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters. The position will involve regular regional travel within Washington State. In your role, representing the Department of Children Youth and Families, you will get to:

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention;
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act to the juvenile cases;
• Review relevant petitions and other documents;
• Consult with social workers and other agency employees;
• Submit and respond to discovery
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial;
• Review reports submitted to the court;
• Perform research and analysis;
• Submit relevant briefing to the court;
• Communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem to resolve issues related to underlying cases;
• Consider settlement options; and
• Take all other actions related to these matters.

*A preferred candidate, for this position, who graduated from law school in 2025 or 2026 would start no lower than Step 4 at $90,708.

In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, specific qualifications for this position include the ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of cases in a fast-paced litigation environment, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day.

The ability to communicate with a variety of client agency representatives efficiently and effectively, as well as with attorney and non-attorney colleagues within the office, is critical to success in the position. This position provides significant opportunities to quickly develop and exercise independent judgment within the context of a large law office striving to provide consistent representation to client agencies in locations throughout the state.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage time, to identify and prioritize tasks necessary to complete, and to maintain a well-organized practice under significant case load demands are essential.

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.

Benefits and Compensation Details

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:

• Competitive salary within the given salary range $90,708 and$157,080.
• Salaries are set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA schedule set forth below.
• Longevity pay of 5% premium on top of base wages after 5 years with the Attorney General’s Office.
• A competitive benefit package that includes:
  • Deferred Compensation Plan
  • 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday
  • 8 hours sick leave accrual per month
  • 9.33 hours to start, then up to 16.67 hours of annual leave accrual per month (based on years of state service)
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• 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
  Qualifying Employer for Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• 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 provides CLE credits and is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide