Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights Litigation Defense (Corrections Unit).

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Colorado Attorney General seeks attorneys to represent the State and its employees in complex civil rights matters. You will handle your own cases, write briefs, conduct discovery, argue motions, and coordinate with a collaborative team.

We value strong writers and litigators with interest in federal/state appeals, 42 U.S.C. cases, and related statutes. Salary will be set commensurate with experience and in compliance with applicable law.

Qualifications

• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills demonstrated through litigation experience in federal or state courts, clerkships, or appellate work.
• Interest and/or experience with 42 U.S.C.
• 1983 cases, C.R.C.P. 106, constitutional law, administrative law, and federal/state appeals are preferred.
• Broad range of litigation experience.
• Ability to be self-directed and manage one's own caseload from pleading through trial and appeal.
• Good problem-solving skills and the confidence to ask questions.

Responsibilities

• Litigate federal civil rights claims primarily against law enforcement personnel.
• Manage own cases from pleading to trial and appeal.
• Write substantive briefs and conduct discovery; argue motions; prepare matters for trial and appellate work.
• Provide general legal advice to client agencies on policy issues and records requests.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical writing

Litigation experience

Self-directed

Problem solving

Communication

Job description

Department Information

Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

Litigate consequential constitutional cases from start to finish! The Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office is hiring attorneys to fill newly added positions representing the State and its employees in complex federal and state civil‑rights matters involving the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, habeas corpus, and related appeals. Attorneys in this role manage their own cases, write substantive briefs, conduct discovery, argue motions, prepare matters for trial, and work closely with an experienced and collaborative team.

Prior corrections or

• 1983 experience is helpful but not required. We welcome strong writers and litigators from private practice, government, judicial clerkships, and other backgrounds who want meaningful public‑service work and substantial responsibility.

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 lawyer and law enforcement official. 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 .

Description Of Job

WHAT YOU WILL DO

In this role you will have the opportunity to litigate federal civil rights claims of all sorts, primarily brought against law enforcement personnel employed by the Parole Division and Colorado Department of Corrections. This often includes claims brought pursuant to the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as claims brought pursuant to statutes such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Our team also handles various other matters such as habeas corpus petitions, small claims cases, and judicial review of agency rulings. Attorneys may also provide general legal advice to client agencies on a broad variety of topics including policy issues and subpoena or open records requests.

Experience in these areas of law is very helpful but not required – we have robust resources to support attorneys who are new to these areas of law. What is important to us is experience in, and enthusiasm for, legal writing and litigation work. So, if you enjoy all aspects of litigation, including motions practice, discovery, trial work and appellate work, this is the role for you! We are looking for candidates who are great writers and thinkers and who can manage their own federal and state cases. The unit is a collegial team in which attorneys regularly exchange drafts, discuss difficult legal issues, develop case strategy together, and assist one another during major motions, trials, and appeals. Attorneys retain meaningful autonomy while receiving accessible supervision, mentoring, and peer support. This work requires attorneys who can vigorously represent state clients while exercising independent judgment, identifying risk, and providing candid advice that helps agencies carry out their responsibilities lawfully.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section at the Department of Law.

Salary note: The Department of Law uses an attorney compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). The salary range for an AAG I is $89,964-$119,047/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The salary range for an AAG II is $102,099 - $136,468/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualified 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. 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 website.

Candidates at multiple experience levels will be considered. Three or more years of legal experience is preferred for candidates seeking appointment at the AAG II level but is not required for consideration. Further, we are seeking candidates that have at least some, if not many, of the following skills and experiences.

• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills, demonstrated through litigation experience that includes briefing in federal or state court, judicial clerkship work, appellate work, or comparable experience.
• Interest and/or experience with 42 U.S.C.
• 1983 cases, C.R.C.P. 106 cases, Constitutional law, administrative law, and federal and state appeals is preferred.
• Broad range of litigation experience.
• Ability to be self-directed and manage one’s own caseload from pleading stage through trial and appeal.
• Good problem-solving skills and the confidence to know when to ask questions.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE.

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

Conditions Of Employment

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• 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 website.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

Supplemental Information

WHY WORK FOR US

We Embrace Flexibility

We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members – which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.

We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more! If