Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Kennewick or Yakima

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

Training and career development

Job summary

Washington State Attorney General’s Office seeks an Assistant Attorney General to join the Juvenile Litigation team. The role emphasizes training, mentorship, and developing skills in litigation and client advice, with a focus on representing DCYF in child welfare matters.

The position offers flexible schedules, telecommuting options, and statewide professional development opportunities. Applicants must be licensed to practice in Washington and have ABA-accredited law school credentials.

Qualifications

• Graduated from ABA-accredited law school or completed WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.
• Licensed to practice law in Washington State.

Responsibilities

• Represent DCYF in child welfare matters, including dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights.
• Advise clients and agencies, analyze complex regulatory issues, and prepare filings.
• Travel within Washington State to courthouses and agency offices as needed.
• Participate in mentorship and training programs to develop litigation and client-advice skills.

Skills

Litigation skills

Client counseling

Mentorship

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Job description

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? Are you an experienced attorney looking for an opportunity to work for an agency supporting work/life balance? The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative 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.

The successful candidate can be located in either the Yakima or Kennewick office and will primarily represent the Department of Children, Youth and Families in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties. These communities offer affordable living costs, 300 days a year of sunshine, and ample opportunities for outdoor sports and activities.

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.

Benefits and Compensation Details

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 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:

• 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

Assistant Attorneys General Salary Schedule –

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

AAG Salary Schedule

• Step 2 | 2026 | 83,856 | 88,056 | 92,256 | 92,256
• Step 3 | 2025 | 87,216 | 91,584 | 95,940 | 95,940
• Step 4 | 2024 | 90,708 | 95,244 | 99,792 | 99,792
• Step 5 | 2023 | 94,320 | 99,060 | 103,776 | 103,776
• Step 6 | 2022 | 98,112 | 103,008 | 107,928 | 107,928
• Step 7 | 2021 | 102,036 | 107,136 | 112,224 | 112,224
• Step 8 | 2020 | 106,092 | 111,420 | 116,736 | 116,736
• Step 9 | 2019 | 110,364 | 115,872 | 121,392 | 121,392
• Step 10 | 2018 | 114,780 | 120,516 | 126,240 | 126,240
• Step 11 | 2017 | 119,364 | 125,328 | 131,292 | 131,292
• Step 12 | 2016 | 124,140 | 130,344 | 136,536 | 136,536
• Step 13 | 2015 | 129,096 | 135,576 | 142,020 | 142,020
• Step 14 | 2014 | 134,268 | 141,000 | 147,672 | 147,672
• Step 15 | 2013 | 139,632 | 146,628 | 153,612 | 153,612
• Step 16 | 2012 | 145,212 | 152,484 | 159,744 | 159,744
• Step 17 | 2011 | 151,032 | 158,580 | 166,128 | 166,128
• Step 18 | 2010 | 157,080 | 164,940 | 172,776 | 172,776

Regional Services Division AAGs represent state agencies and higher education institutions. AAGs representing clients in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties represent the 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 this position is 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.

In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, specific qualifications for this position include the ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of cases in a fast-paced litigation environment, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day.

The ability to communicate with a variety of client agency representatives efficiently and effectively, as well as with attorney and non-attorney colleagues within the office, is critical to success in the position. This position provides significant opportunities to quickly develop and exercise independent judgment within the context of a large law office striving to provide consistent representation to client agencies in locations throughout the state.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage time, to identify and prioritize tasks necessary to complete, and to maintain a well-organized practice under significant case load demands are essential.

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 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. Positions in the Yakima and Kennewick sections are eligible for a salary within the given salary range ($90,708 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.

If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Division Chief Jennifer Mankowski Dixon at [e-mail].

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that 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.