Assistant Attorney General - Spokane Division's Labor & Industries Section

Washington State Health Care Authority; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental plans

Retirement plans

Vacation leave, sick leave, holidays

Salary schedule transparency

Bar dues paid

Job summary

Washington State Office of the Attorney General in Spokane seeks an Assistant Attorney General for the Labor & Industries Section to provide high‑quality legal services and strategic representation. The role focuses on civil litigation, including discovery, motions, and trial work before BIIA and state courts.

The position requires a WA-licensed attorney with strong writing and advocacy skills, and an ability to manage an active caseload with deadlines.

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school and licensed to practice in Washington State.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills are required.
• Ability to manage an active civil litigation caseload and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department of Labor and Industries before the BIIA and state courts in industrial insurance cases.
• Handle discovery, motions, briefs and pleadings; engage in trial or negotiated settlements.
• Travel regularly to Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties for jury trials and hearings.

Skills

Strong writing and oral advocacy

Case management

Public sector law interest

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA accredited)

Tools

Electronic case management tools

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 Christine O. Gregoire Spokane Division has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General in the Labor & Industries Section.

The Spokane L&I Section is comprised of 8 attorneys, 12 paralegals and one legal office assistant. The Spokane L&I Section handles a variety of litigation on behalf of the DLI including litigating workers compensation claims, building trades litigation, fraud cases, wage and hour cases, and Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act violations. Section attorneys practice in almost every legal forum – from the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) and Office of Administrative Hearings to state appellate courts.

Spokane is a vibrant and beautiful city that enjoys four distinct seasons and provides residents and visitors with world class outdoor adventures, including: fishing and whitewater rafting in the Spokane River; biking the Centennial Trail; snow skiing at nearby Mt. Spokane, Lookout Pass, Silver Mountain, 49 Degrees North, or Schweitzer Mountain; and hiking, boating or fishing in a host of nearby lakes and nature preserves. Spokane also offers great indoor activities: theater, including Broadway shows; live music; multiple exhibits; and the opportunity to taste Washington's renowned grapes and hops at a number of local wineries and craft breweries.

This position serves the Department of Labor and Industries (DLI) and the people of the state by providing quality legal advice and strategic representation with the highest standards of excellence, ethics and effectiveness.

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 and collection 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 hired for this opening will represent DLI in cases involving the Washington Industrial Insurance Act and/or the Washington Safety and Health Act. The cases handled by this position will be primarily out of the Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties with an emphasis on jury trials. Regular travel will be required.

Successful applicants can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over their daily work while also working with teams of attorneys who complement and support each other. Attorneys independently handle all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motion practice, and resolving cases through hearing, trial, or negotiated settlements. Typical responsibilities of the Spokane L&I Section litigation attorneys include:

• Conducting direct and cross-examination in hearings and depositions;
• Effectively handling motion practice and discovery;
• Conducting legal research and writing briefs and pleadings
• Interacting with outside parties and stakeholders;
• Negotiating resolutions;
• Presenting arguments orally and in writing; and
• Engaging in superior court practice, including jury trials.

This position provides the opportunity to work in an environment where teamwork and diversity are highly valued. Section members consistently strive to conduct themselves with integrity, professionalism, civility and transparency, and promote a collegial and diverse workplace that values, respects, and supports each other. We all share the same commitment to serving the public by providing excellent legal services in support of our client's mission to: protect workers, preserve the industrial insurance accident fund, and help injured workers heal and return to work. The Spokane L&I Section offers great mentors, a team atmosphere, and supports and encourages flexibility and creativity.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the successful candidate should offer:

• Demonstrated and expressed interest in the practice of public sector law;
• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills;
• An ability to manage an active caseload, identify and prioritize tasks, and meet short deadlines;
• 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;
• An ability to handle cases electronically, including utilizing electronic files, participating in all-remote or hybrid hearings and trials, and effectively using other electronic case management tools;
• Practical experience communicating or working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences; and
• Familiarity with the Washington Civil Rules and Washington Rules of Evidence and the Administrative Procedures Act.

There is a strong preference for familiarity with state laws administered by the Department of Labor and Industries, particularly the Industrial Insurance Act and/or the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act. While prior litigation experience is not required, three years’ experience in civil litigation is preferred. Section leadership will adapt training and case assignment to the experience level of the successful candidate. Attorneys of all experience levels are encouraged to apply.

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. 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 wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Angela Zurlini, Section Chief, at [e-mail] or [phone].

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 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.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 or [e-mail].