Assistant Attorney General (Federal Initiatives - Litigation)

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Office of the Attorney General of Colorado as an Assistant Attorney General, where you will engage in significant federal litigation to protect state interests. This role is perfect for experienced litigators seeking impactful work in a collaborative environment, representing Colorado's legal affairs and ensuring the rule of law is upheld. If you have a solid background in federal litigation and a passion for public service, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity.

Benefits

Competitive medical and dental health plans

Employer-paid life insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement plans

Flexible work arrangements

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of legal experience, substantial in federal litigation.
• Experience with federal regulation and administrative law is preferred.
• Strong candidates will have public sector or government agency representation experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel regarding federal actions affecting Colorado.
• Serve as litigation counsel in complex trial matters for the State.
• Coordinate with state attorneys on significant litigation.

Skills

Federal litigation

Legal analysis

Trial preparation

Strategic coordination

Collaboration

Education

Jurisdiction to practice law in Colorado

Job description

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

The Colorado Department of Law is seeking experienced litigators to serve as Assistant Attorneys General in the Office of the Attorney General’s Federal Initiatives Unit. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to engage in high-impact litigation that shapes and safeguards the State’s interests in the face of significant federal actions. Attorneys in this role will represent the State of Colorado in complex trial and appellate matters—defending its programs, residents, and the rule of law. Candidates with substantial federal litigation experience, including those who have led major cases or handled multifaceted legal challenges, may be considered for appointment as Senior Assistant Attorneys General.

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.

Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Assistant Attorneys General in the Federal Initiatives Unit will represent the Attorney General and State of Colorado at large in significant litigation matters for the Department of Law as identified by the Attorney General or his designated executive staff. This position will serve as litigation counsel for complex trial and appellate matters, focused on cases protecting the State of Colorado-specifically its programs and funding streams-and its residents, and defending the rule of law.

The successful candidate will be part of a collaborative team that supports the Attorney General and executive agencies regarding issues with the federal government, including federal funding of state programs. This role will report to the Deputy Solicitor General for Federal Initiatives.

Specific Responsibilities include:

Advice Responsibilities:Provide counsel to the Attorney General and client agencies regarding federal executive orders, federal agency and administrative actions, and federal legislation affecting Colorado government, residents, and the rule of law.

Litigation and Trial Responsibilities: Serve as litigation counsel inkey litigation and trial matters protecting the interest of the State of Colorado, including coordination with other state attorney general staff on multistate matters, and overseeing and helping develop strategy for federal litigation and trials, trial moots, and after-action review for major cases. Duties may include but are not limited to: analyzing complex factual and legal issues; monitoring federal legal and regulatory changes; collaborating with agency counsel and advising agencies; and preparing matters for litigation, including preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, appearing in court, and collaborating with other states in multi-state litigation.

Administrative and Appellate Responsibilities:Coordinate comment letters, intervention and amicus briefs concerning federal initiatives; review recommendations on amicus briefs in other jurisdictions or join multi-state attorney general letters.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Office of the Attorney General Unit.

SALARY INFORMATION

The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be setcommensuratewith the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

In order to be considered for a Senior Assistant Attorney General, candidates must have a minimum of ten years of relevant federal litigation experience, including leading cases or handling complex matters as a licensed attorney. If the position is filled at the level of Senior Assistant Attorney General, the pay range will be $109,498 to $146,455/year.

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 $85,795-$95,437/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $99,318 - $132,901/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
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.

Candidates for this position must meet the following:

• A minimum of 6 years of legal experience, including substantial federal litigation (civil or administrative cases). Experience with administrative and regulatory law.

In addition, the strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following attributes:

• Prior public sector or government agency representation experience.

• Experience representing or litigating for or against the federal government or federal agencies,

• Experience with investigations, federal grants or civil rights.

• Experience handling or leading complex multi-party litigation or coalition work.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• 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 is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

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 your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!

We Have Strong Core Values
Our core values drive our actions. At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.

We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys
We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.

We Offer Excellent Benefits

In addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans withColorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness:As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds offederal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
• Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
• Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid annual attorney registrationdues
• Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the on-line applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the on-line application. Applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the positionand their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.

ADAAA Requests
The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher at [e-mail].