Assistant Attorney General - Gov. Compliance & Enforcement Division, Olympia

Washington State Liquor And Cannabis Board; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Flexible schedules / telecommuting

Health and wellness program

Mentoring program

Training and career development

Job summary

The Washington State Attorney General's Office seeks an experienced attorney to join the Government Compliance and Enforcement Division (GCE) as part of the Washington State Patrol section. You will advise clients and manage all aspects of litigation, including appearances before the Office of Administrative Hearings and state courts.

We value public service, collaboration, and work-life balance, offering a hybrid schedule, comprehensive benefits, mentoring, and professional development within a

Qualifications

• Have litigation experience at the administrative, state and/or federal level.
• Be able to provide options-based advice to clients.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to public service.

Responsibilities

• Provide client advice and handle all aspects of litigation.
• Litigate before the Administrative Proceedings (OAH) with occasional court appearances.
• Prioritize and multitask; conduct research, draft pleadings, and attend hearings; consult with WSP personnel.

Skills

Litigation experience (admin/state/fed

Interpersonal/analytical/writing/oral-

Options-based advice

Commitment to public service

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Job 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 $83,856 and $157,080. 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

The WA State Attorney General’s Office’s Government Compliance and Enforcement Division (GCE) seeks applicants for an opening in its Washington State Patrol (WSP) Section.

The successful candidate will be a part of a section of five attorneys who represent a variety of WSP programs, including Vehicle Impound, Towing and Wrecking, Asset Forfeiture, Ignition Interlock, Emergency Vehicle, Terminal Audit, the State Fire Marshal, and Work Zone Speed Camera.

The GCE includes 60 attorneys and professional staff. The division offers a professional work environment where teamwork, high quality legal service, and work-life balance are highly valued, and our employees are supported in their professional growth. This position is located on the Capitol Campus with direct access to downtown Olympia and the beautiful State Capitol grounds. Our employees work a hybrid schedule with both in-office and telecommute days each week. GCE provide legal services to nearly 40 state agencies, boards, and commissions, including those that protect citizens by regulating health care providers, insurers, liquor and cannabis businesses, gambling, campaign finance, ethics, financial institutions, and more. Client assignments within the division can change over time, allowing attorneys to gain experience with a wide variety of client agencies and areas of the law.

The duties of the position include client advice and all aspects of litigation. WSP attorneys litigate cases before the Office of Administrative Hearings, with occasional appearances in district court, superior court and the state’s appellate courts. The attorney must be able to prioritize and multi-task. A typical workday could include conducting research, drafting pleadings and legal advice, attending hearings, and consulting with WSP personnel.

Qualifications

• Have a demonstrated commitment to public service;
• Have litigation experience at the administrative, state and/or federal level;
• Be motivated to work closely with clients to provide options-based advice;
• Possess strong interpersonal, analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills; and
• Value working in an inclusive, creative and collaborative work environment.

Candidates with previous experience as a practicing attorney are preferred, but such experience is not required to apply. Criminal prosecution e experience and/or experience with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA is also desirable but not required. This position’s assignments may be tailored to the candidate’s background and experience, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to be mentored by other AAGs as they grow into their new role.

Applicants must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; and be licensed to practice law in Washington state. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission by motion will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. The AGO greatly encourages, celebrates and values diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfill its mission of providing excellent, independent and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people.

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 $83,856 and $157,080. 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.

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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 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 [e-mail]. 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.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact [e-mail]. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 or [e-mail].