Assistant Attorney General (Labor Unit)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

On-site fitness center

Flexible work schedules

Professional development opportunities

Counseling services

Attorney registration dues paid

CLE opportunities

Job summary

The State of Colorado Office of the Attorney General’s Labor Unit seeks a collaborative attorney to handle labor and employment matters, including appellate litigation and general counsel duties for key state departments. The role offers growth, diverse clients, and a collegial team.

Candidates must be licensed to practice law in Colorado, possess strong writing and communication skills, and be prepared for a mix of litigation and advisory work.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Colorado.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Appellate litigation experience preferred.
• Experience in labor/employment or tax law desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Advise on legal compliance for CDLE, DPA, and BAA.
• Handle litigation at trial and appellate levels.
• Draft formal and informal opinions, and draft and interpret rules and policies.
• Write appellate briefs and engage in oral arguments before appellate courts.

Skills

Writing skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Appellate litigation

Education

Colorado Bar admission

Job description

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

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

The Labor Unit is seeking a collaborative attorney to join their dynamic team. This role offers the opportunity to constantly learn and work on an array of labor and employment topics. For this position, we need a dedicated attorney with exceptional critical thinking skills and excellent written communications skills; we can teach you the subject matter! If you love a challenge, enjoy appellate litigation and general counsel work, and want to work with interesting clients and a great team, this position is for you!

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.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Labor Unit of the State Services Section in the Colorado Department of Law serves as general counsel to three departments in state government: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA), and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). The Unit advises on a variety of issues, including legal compliance in client operations, board representation, open meetings and open records, and rulemaking. The Unit handles litigation in state, federal, and administrative courts at both the trial and appellate court levels. The attorney’s work will include a mixture of litigation (mostly appellate but also trial court and administrative court) and general legal advice to clients (both oral and written). The attorney will co-counsel various civil litigation cases and will also provide advice, draft formal and informal opinions, and draft and interpret rules and policies. The attorney will write appellate briefs and engage in oral argument at the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the State Services section at 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-$98,758/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 AAG II salary range is $102,099 - $136,468/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualified applicants must be licensed to practice law in Colorado or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment.

The ideal candidate for this position must have strong writing skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and demonstrate exceptional communication skills. This position regularly interacts with clients, staff, and members of the public, and you must be committed to building effective and collaborative relationships with various internal and external stakeholders. While not a requirement, experience in civil litigation is strongly preferred. A background in labor law, employment leave and benefit law, or property tax law is also desirable, but not required.

We offer 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.

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 may offer flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.
• Working outside of regular business hours may be necessary.
• Travel within and out of state may be necessary, including in-state trips that require long distance driving. A valid driver’s license is required.

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 with Colorado 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.