Assistant Attorney General, Bankruptcy

Department of Law - Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colorado Department of Law invites applications for the Assistant Attorney General position in the MLB Bankruptcy unit. You will work on bankruptcy matters affecting state agencies, including enforcement and regulatory issues, with collaboration from tax and regulatory specialists.

You will serve as lead counsel in bankruptcy courts and state courts, advising the Department of Revenue on tax enforcement under Chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13, while growing responsibilities and practicing in a

Qualifications

• Admitted to Colorado bar or eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and in good standing at time of employment.
• Experience in federal bankruptcy law and/or state tax law.
• Ability to handle negotiations, litigation, and trials independently and effectively; proficient client communication and writing.
• Essential skills include interest in federal bankruptcy law, managing a significant caseload, willingness to litigate and advise as GC, strong research and writing, and commitment to public service.

Responsibilities

• Independently handle litigation, negotiation, and hearings on behalf of clients represented by the MLB Unit, the R&R Section and the DOL.
• Litigate matters requiring immediate action.
• Provide training to DOL attorneys and/or client representatives and staff.

Skills

Federal bankruptcy law

State tax law

Negotiation

Litigation

Writing

Research

Interpersonal skills

Education

Admitted to Colorado Bar

Job description

Assistant Attorney General - MLB - Bankruptcy

The Revenue & Regulatory Law (R&R) section of the Colorado Department of Law is seeking a dynamic and committed Assistant Attorney General to join the Marijuana, Liquor and Bankruptcy (“MLB”) Unit In this role, you will address a wide variety of interesting and complex legal issues of significant importance to the State of Colorado primarily in bankruptcy and state court.

The MLB Unit is one of 10 units in the R&R section. The R&R section represents state regulatory agencies, including the Department of Revenue, the Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Local Affairs. R&R is the largest section in the Department of Law, comprised of approximately 125 team members who tackle a diverse array of legal challenges for nearly 100 state agencies, boards, commissions, and divisions.

Application will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

WHO WE ARE

The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the "People's Lawyer." The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief legal representative and serves as legal counsel to all state executive and judicial agencies, departments, boards, and commissions. Our vision for the Department of Law is: "Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all." Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General’s Office here.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Marijuana, Liquor & Bankruptcy (MLB) Unit offers the opportunity to practice the bankruptcy and tax collection aspects of the Unit’s work. This attorney will work with the bankruptcy team advising all state agencies when a bankruptcy matter arises that impacts the agency. The issues typically include collection issues, consumer protection issues, environmental issues, the inability to discharge criminal restitution, enforcement of regulations when a regulated entity files for bankruptcy protection and others. The bankruptcy lawyer will work in close collaboration with the subject matter experts and other bankruptcy attorneys on topics including: bankruptcy compliance, scope of bankruptcy discharges, the automatic stay, bankruptcy claims, and prosecution or defense of adversary proceedings and contested matters.

The attorney will also advise the Colorado Department of Revenue in tax enforcement both in and out of bankruptcy cases. This advice includes defending tax claims in bankruptcy courts under Chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13; advice regarding the dischargeability of taxes owed by debtors; defending the Department in adversary proceedings and contested matters; bankruptcy compliance; and advice regarding obtaining warrants and effectuating tax seizures and sales for nonpayment of trust fund (sales, excise and other) taxes owed to the Department.

The attorney will be part of a team that represents the state in the matters described above, but will be expected to take primary responsibility for the attorney’s own cases, with increasing responsibilities over time.

The attorney’s responsibilities may also include any of the following:

• Independently handle litigation, negotiation, and hearings on behalf of clients represented by the Unit, the R&R Section and the DOL;
• Litigate matters that require immediate action;
• Provide training to DOL attorneys and/or client representatives and staff.

The attorneys on our team represent our clients’ interests in a variety of settings, including federal bankruptcy court and state court. The position is primarily a bankruptcy law practice, with some practice in Colorado District Court.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Applicants must be:

• Admitted to the Colorado bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

Candidates should have: 1) experience in federal bankruptcy law and/or state tax law; 2) a demonstrated ability to handle negotiations, litigation, and trials independently and effectively; 3) proficient client communication skills; and 4) excellent writing skills.

Essential skills for this position:

• Interest in learning Federal bankruptcy law and its interaction with state tax law and regulatory programs;
• Ability to manage a significant caseload, including working closely with Unit paralegals
• Comfort with and enjoyment in litigating cases and advising clients in a general counsel role
• Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to provide advice on complex matters
• Committed and eager to serve the public
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Enthusiasm about working with a smart, collaborative, and fun team

The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position within the Revenue and Regulatory Law section.