Assistant Attorney General - SHO Division, Program Litigation Services Section, Tumwater

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Paid holidays

Flex schedules

Telecommuting

Mentoring program

Health & wellness

Career development

Job summary

State of Washington, Office of the Attorney General in Tumwater, WA, seeks an experienced attorney to join its Program Litigation Section, providing strategic advice on high-impact litigation involving state agencies.

The role supports five agencies, including DSHS and HCA, across civil and appellate forums, with mentoring and career development within a collaborative public-service environment.

Qualifications

• Strong litigation, legal analysis and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage complex, high-profile matters in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to ethical practice, public service and exceptional client representation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead or consulting attorney on complex, high-profile, and programmatic litigation.
• Assist sections with significant litigation demands and collaborate across practice areas.
• Represent state agencies in state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Skills

Litigation skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Public service

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program

Job 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

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office’s Social and Health Services Division in Tumwater, WA seeks an experienced attorney to join its Program Litigation Section (PLS). This position offers the opportunity to provide strategic legal representation and advice on complex, high-impact litigation involving state agencies that serve Washington residents.

Our team of 44 attorneys and 28 professional staff works at the heart of Washington’s social safety net. We provide legal support for five state agencies, including the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA), to provide benefits, protection, and care to some of our state’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised residents.

Our cases range from large federal court class action cases to individual administrative appeals. Recent cases include responding to requests for various writs against State officers, constitutional challenges brought by institutionalized individuals, and challenges to the adequacy of the state’s behavioral health services.

The broad range of subject matter involved may also include:

• Seeking protections for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse or neglect;
• Defending lawsuits brought by legal advocacy groups organizations on behalf of Medicaid recipients and individuals with disabilities;
• Complex civil rights challenges by residents of the Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators;
• Civil and felony commitment hearings and trials;
• Contract disputes with medical providers and managed care organizations; and
• Appeals related to eligibility for medical services.

Our division is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive workplace. We prioritize employee growth through a culture that recognizes hard work and provides active support for career advancement. Regular social events help us connect and strengthen our collaborative team dynamic - join us!

Attorneys in the Program Litigation Section support the Division’s other sections with litigation expertise, and represent and advise the Division's clients, including the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA), on a wide variety of litigation matters. The section also provides litigation support across the agency, including the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to address complex legal issues and emerging programmatic challenges.

This position offers the opportunity to:

• Serve as lead or consulting attorney on complex, high-profile, and programmatic litigation.
• Assist sections with significant litigation demands and collaborate across practice areas to support Division clients.
• Represent state agencies in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including Washington Superior Courts, the Washington Court of Appeals, the Washington Supreme Court, the U.S. District Courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court, and administrative tribunals.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys challenging litigation, collaborative problem-solving, and mentoring others while advancing the important public service missions of Washington's health and human services agencies.

In addition to meeting the requirement to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, desirable qualities and experience include:

• Strong litigation, legal analysis, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• The ability to manage complex, high-profile matters in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to ethical practice, public service, and exceptional client representation.

This position involves litigation in a variety of settings, as described above.

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.

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.

It is a statement about the AGO being 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 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 [e-mail]. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 or [e-mail].