Assistant Attorney General - Kennewick or Yakima

Washington State Office of the Attorney General; Washington; On-site; USD 91,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Washington Public Employees' Pension/P

Deferred Compensation Program

11 paid holidays + personal holiday

Sick leave accrual

Annual leave accrual

Longevity premium

Hybrid work and flexible schedule

Job summary

Washington State Office of the Attorney General is seeking an Assistant Attorney General for the Regional Services Division, based in Kennewick or Yakima, WA. The role focuses on representing DCYF in child welfare matters, including dependency, guardianship, and termination cases, with regional travel within Washington.

Qualified candidates must be admitted to practice in Washington and have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school or completed the Washington State Bar Association’s Rule 6

Qualifications

• Must be a JD graduate and licensed to practice law in Washington state.
• Experience in juvenile litigation or child welfare matters is preferred.
• Strong research, writing, and advocacy skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency for court intervention.
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and Washington ICWA in cases.
• Review petitions, documents, and court reports; coordinate with social workers.
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearings or trials; handle discovery responses.
• Perform legal research and analysis; brief the court; communicate with guardians ad litem.

Skills

Litigation

Legal Research

Client Advocacy

Washington Law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Washington Bar license

Job description

Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division

Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Kennewick or Yakima, Washington

Salary: $90,708 - $157,080 DOQ

Are you an experienced attorney looking to join an agency that supports work-life balance? The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for an Assistant Attorney General with its Juvenile Litigation team. This position represents the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in child welfare cases that directly influence the lives of children in Washington in a meaningful way.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) serves roughly 200 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges, and universities, as well as the Governor and Legislature. The AGO is the largest public law office in the state, with more than 1,800 employees, including nearly 800 attorneys.

Attorneys in the Regional Services Division represent state agencies and higher education institutions. The primary emphasis of this position is representing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The work is rewarding, while difficult at times, and directly influences the lives of children in Washington. The attorney will also advise the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters.

Responsibilities include evaluating evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention; applying the Indian Child Welfare Act and Washington Indian Child Welfare Act; reviewing petitions, documents, and court reports; consulting with social workers and other employees; submitting and responding to discovery; and preparing witnesses and evidence for hearings or trials. The Assistant Attorney General in this position will perform legal research and analysis, submit briefing to the court, communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem to resolve issues related to underlying cases, and consider settlement options. The position involves regular regional travel within Washington State. The successful candidate may be based in Kennewick or Yakima and will primarily represent DCYF in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties. Candidates based in Yakima will travel for court appearances. State vehicles are available for travel purposes.

Education & Experience: Applicants must have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or completed the Washington State Bar Association'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 Washington admission will also be considered, including out-of-state attorneys. Washington licensure is required to serve as an Assistant Attorney General.

Benefits include: Medical, dental, and vision coverage. Basic life and long-term disability insurance. Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and optional Deferred Compensation Program. 11 paid holidays and one personal holiday annually. Eight (8) hours of sick leave accrual per month. Annual leave accrual starting at 9.33 hours and increasing to 16.67 hours per month, based on years of state service. A 5% longevity premium on base wages after five years with the AGO. Hybrid work and flexible schedule options.

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by December 7, 2026. (First review, open until filled.)