Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division's LNI Team, Everett

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Retirement plans

Mentoring program

Flexible schedules & telecommuting

Job summary

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) seeks an attorney to represent the Department of Labor and Industries in industrial insurance matters. The role requires handling complex litigation, preparing for hearings, and conducting appeals in state courts.

The AGO emphasizes public service, professional development, and a balanced work environment. Compensation includes a broad benefits package, retirement plans, and a mentoring program within a supportive, diverse workplace.

Qualifications

• Graduated from an ABA‑accredited law school or completed WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.
• Licensed to practice law in Washington State; admitted or pursuing admission.
• Willingness to travel across counties and throughout the state.
• Ability to manage many cases and shift between tasks quickly.
• Experience with discovery, motions, briefs, and oral arguments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department of Labor and Industries before BIIA and superior courts.
• Handle industrial insurance cases and related matters.
• Conduct discovery, brief issues, and prepare for trials.
• Review BIIA decisions and handle appeals in state courts.
• Coordinate with appellate teams and the Solicitor General’s Office.
• Work independently within AGO policies and procedures.

Skills

Adaptability

Civil litigation interest

Travel willingness

Electronic case files

Team collaboration

Oral and written communication

Multitasking

Public service mindset

Education

ABA-accredited law school

WA Bar admission

WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Description

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.

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.

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:

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits and retirement plans
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
• Transparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between $83,856 and $157,080. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA
• 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
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• 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 is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide

Duties

The attorney in this position represents the Department of Labor and Industries before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) and superior courts in industrial insurance cases and occasionally in industrial insurance premium assessment, willful misrepresentation, and Crime Victims Compensation cases. Industrial insurance cases present complex legal and medical issues regarding the provision of benefits to injured workers under Title 51 RCW. Proceedings at the BIIA are conducted following Washington Civil Rules and Washington Rules of Evidence. The cases require testimony from medical and vocational experts, as well as lay witnesses. Most cases are tried within three to eight months of the date of assignment. The attorney in this position must analyze the file, evaluate the case for settlement possibilities, conduct discovery, handle motions, consult with witnesses, and brief issues within a relatively short time frame. After litigation, the attorney must analyze the BIIA decisions for potential appeals of legal issues. The attorney in this position also litigates appeals of BIIA decisions to superior court. These appeals often require briefing legal and factual issues based on the record below. Superior court appeals are tried to either a bench or a jury. In the case of jury trials, the attorney is responsible for preparing and taking the case to trial, including pretrial motions, jury instructions, voir dire, and opening statements and closing arguments. The attorney in this position may also handle appeals of industrial insurance cases in the courts of appeal. In appellate cases, the attorney will work closely with the Division Appellate Team and the Solicitor General’s Office to ensure the record before the court is complete, brief the case, participate in moot court sessions, and argue the case. The attorney in this position operates independently within Division and AGO policies and protocols.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the following qualifications are preferred:

• The ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of many cases at a time, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day;
• An interest in civil litigation including engaging in discovery, drafting motions and briefs, negotiating with other parties and presenting oral arguments before various courts and tribunals;
• Ability to travel to the assigned counties and throughout the state;
• Ability to use electronic files and case management tools;
• The ability to contribute positively to a team and interact successfully with interested groups and members of the public;
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask by managing an active caseload and meeting tight deadlines; and
• Values working in an inclusive, creative and collaborative work environment.

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.

Supplemental Information

This Assistant Attorney General 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. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CB A. 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.

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.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact the recruitment team at [e-mail]. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or [e-mail].