Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Kennewick

LMBA; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Longevity pay

Retirement plan

Health benefits

Flexible schedule/telecommuting

Job summary

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General in Kennewick seeks an Assistant Attorney General to join the Juvenile Litigation team. The role offers extensive training, mentorship, and opportunities to develop litigation and client-advice skills, with regular travel within Washington.

The primary emphasis is representing DCYF in child welfare matters, including dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights, with a strong commitment to professional development and

Qualifications

• Recent law school graduate.
• Training and mentorship programs offered.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency for court intervention.
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act to juvenile cases.
• Review petitions and documents; consult with social workers and agency staff.
• Submit and respond to discovery; prepare witnesses for hearings.
• Conduct research, draft briefs, and communicate with attorneys and guardians ad litem.

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Kennewick

Are you a recent law school graduate looking for an attorney position that offers extensive training, mentorship, and the opportunity to develop your litigation and client advice skills? The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative Kennewick Office as an Assistant Attorney General with our Juvenile Litigation team. The successful candidate will receive training from our local subject matter experts, as well as participate in our statewide training and mentorship programs. While you will be primarily assigned to the Juvenile Litigation team, you will have the opportunity to expand your experience by also assisting with a wide variety of clients with new and varying issues.

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Kennewick offers a variety of attractions as a place to live and work. Kennewick is one of the Tri-Cities in southeast Washington composing the cities of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, which when combined make the Tri-Cities the fourth largest city in the state and second largest in eastern Washington. With over 300 days of sunshine, the Tri-Cities offers affordable living, outdoor recreational opportunities adjacent to the Yakima, Snake and Columbia Rivers in a four-season climate and is located in the heart of Washington’s wine country. For more information about the Tri-Cities, visit the official website .

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The Kennewick office represents state agencies and higher education institutions in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties. Agencies include Department of Children Youth and Families, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Labor and Industries, Department of Licensing, Employment Security Department, Educational Service District #123, Columbia Basin College and Walla Walla Community College.

The primary emphasis for these positions are on representing DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The work is remarkably rewarding, while difficult at times. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way. Cases also involve advising the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters. The position will involve regular regional travel within Washington State.

In your role, representing the Department of Children Youth and Families, you will get to:

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention;
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act to the juvenile cases;
• Review relevant petitions and other documents;
• Consult with social workers and other agency employees;
• Submit and respond to discovery;
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial;
• Review reports submitted to the court;
• Perform research and analysis;
• Submit relevant briefing to the court;
• Communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem to resolve issues related to underlying cases;
• Consider settlement options; and
• Take all other actions related to these matters.

Note: A preferred candidate, for these positions, who graduated from law school in 2025 or 2026 would start no lower than Step 4 at $90,708.

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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:

• Competitive salary, which may be negotiable within the given salary range ($90,708 and $157,080).
• Salaries are set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA schedule set forth below.
• Longevity pay of 5% premium on top of base wages after 5 years with the Attorney General’s Office.
• A competitive benefit package that includes:
• Affordable medical plan options, including vision benefits,
  Dental benefits covered 100%
  Retirement plan (employee/employer contribution)
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday
• 8 hours sick leave accrual per month
• 9.33 hours to start, then up to 16.67 hours of annual leave accrual per month (based on years of state service)
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• 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
• Qualifying Employer for Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• 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 provides CLE credits and is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide

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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 dog guide or 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 .