Assistant Attorney General (Marijuana, Liquor, and Bankruptcy)

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 88,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Free on-site fitness center

Flexible work schedules

Employer-paid CLE

Job summary

The State of Colorado, Department of Law, seeks an Assistant Attorney General to join the Marijuana, Liquor and Bankruptcy (MLB) Unit. You will handle administrative licensing actions from inception through hearing and appeal for regulated cannabis, liquor, natural medicine, and firearms divisions.

Ideal candidates bring a litigation background, strong writing skills, and the ability to manage a significant caseload while working in a collaborative public-service environment.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience in litigation, negotiations, and trials independently and effectively is essential.
• Excellent writing, research, and interpersonal skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Independently handle litigation, negotiations, hearings, and administrative appeals for state clients.
• Litigate matters requiring urgent action including license suspensions.
• Seek injunction relief in Colorado District Courts to enforce licensure requirements against unlicensed entities.
• Provide training to DOL attorneys, client representatives, and staff.

Skills

Litigation

Negotiation

Independent trials

Client communication

Writing skills

Caseload management

Public service motivation

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Colorado Bar admission

Job description

Department Information

The Revenue & Regulatory Law (R&R) section of the Colorado Department of Law is seeking a dynamic and committed Assistant Attorney General to join the Marijuana, Liquor and Bankruptcy (“MLB”) Unit. In this role, you will address a wide variety of interesting and complex legal issues of significant importance to the State of Colorado. The MLB Unit represents the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division, Natural Medicine Division, Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement Division and Firearms Dealer Division in licensing and disciplinary litigation.

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/.

Description of Job

The MLB Unit is one of 10 units in the R&R section. The R&R section represents state regulatory agencies, including the Department of Revenue, the Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Local Affairs. R&R is the largest section in the Department of Law, comprised of approximately 125 team members who tackle a diverse array of legal challenges for nearly 100 state agencies, boards, commissions, and divisions.

What You Will Do

The MLB Unit is one of 10 units in the R&R section. The R&R section represents state regulatory agencies, including the Department of Revenue, the Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Local Affairs. R&R is the largest section in the Department of Law, comprised of approximately 125 team members who tackle a diverse array of legal challenges for nearly 100 state agencies, boards, commissions, and divisions.

The MLB Unit offers the opportunity to practice in cutting-edge and challenging areas of law representing the following Divisions of the Colorado Department of Revenue: Marijuana Enforcement, Natural Medicine, Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement, and Firearms Dealer. The MLB Unit is a dynamic and collaborative group as statutes and regulations governing regulated marijuana, natural medicine, liquor, tobacco retailers and firearm dealers change frequently.

This attorney will handle administrative licensing actions from inception through administrative hearing, exceptions (administrative appeal) and judicial review, for the Marijuana, Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement, Natural Medicine and Firearm Dealer Divisions. Administrative licensing actions include denials of applications for a license required to operate a regulated liquor business, tobacco retailer, marijuana business, natural medicine business or firearm dealer and disciplinary actions based on alleged violations of the statutes and rules that govern these highly regulated businesses. Administrative cases range in complexity from relatively simple to complex. For example, the Marijuana and Liquor Enforcement Divisions may seek enforcement action based on underage sales of liquor, tobacco or marijuana, substantial security and public health violations, violations of mandatory marijuana testing requirements, licensee disqualification based on failure to pay taxes, or sophisticated corporate and financial schemes intended to allow unauthorized entities and individuals to control licensed businesses. The Natural Medicine and Firearm Dealer programs involve application denials, alleged violations of statutes and rules while licensed, or unlicensed operators acting outside the regulated industry. The attorney will also represent the divisions in state and federal courts.

The attorney will be part of a team that represents the state in the matters described above but will be expected to take primary responsibility for the attorney’s own cases, with increasing responsibilities over time.

The attorney will be part of a team that represents the state in the matters described above but will be expected to take primary responsibility for the attorney’s own cases, with increasing responsibilities over time.

The attorney’s responsibilities may also include any of the following:

• Independently handle litigation, negotiation, hearings, and exceptions (administrative appeal) of cases on behalf of clients represented by the Unit;
• Litigate matters that require immediate action including license suspensions;
• Seek injunction relief in Colorado District Courts to enforce the licensure requirements against unlicensed persons engaged in licensed activities;
• Provide training to DOL attorneys and/or client representatives and staff.

The attorneys on our team represent our clients’ interests in a variety of settings, including licensure and disciplinary actions. The position is primarily an administrative law practice, as well as some practice in Colorado District Court and the Court of Appeals. Our work also involves advising clients in all aspects of their regulatory functions and responsibilities, including assisting with the promulgation of rules.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an attorney who is: 1) interested in litigation; 2) eager to work in a supportive multi-disciplinary team; and 3) motivated to do work that directly impacts the lives of Coloradans.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple attorney positions in the Revenue & Regulatory Law section.

Salary Note

The Department of Law uses a wage progression 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 $88,197 – $96,554 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 $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. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

Candidates should have: 1) a litigation background; 2) a demonstrated ability to handle negotiations, litigation, and trials independently and effectively; 3) proficient client communication skills; and 4) excellent writing skills.

Essential Skills For This Position

• Ability to manage a significant caseload, including working closely with Unit paralegals
• Comfort with and enjoyment in litigating cases and advising clients in a general counsel role
• Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to provide advice on complex matters
• Committed and eager to serve the public
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Enthusiasm about working with a smart, collaborative, and fun team

THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE "HOW TO APPLY" SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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.
• 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.

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 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal 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 registration dues
• Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities

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