Assistant Attorney General - Spokane Division's Social & Health Services Section

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

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring program

Health and wellness program

Training and career development

Telecommuting options

Job summary

Washington State Attorney General's Office seeks an experienced attorney to manage a high-volume DCYF-related litigation caseload. The role involves frequent court appearances, remote hearings, and potential appellate work, with collaboration across a multidisciplinary team.

Applicants should be licensed in Washington, have strong writing and advocacy skills, and be committed to public service and diversity. Occasional travel to courts outside Spokane may be required.

Qualifications

• Interest in public sector law and litigation
• Ability to handle fast-paced environment with heavy caseloads
• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills
• Commitment to diversity and public service

Responsibilities

• Maintain a high-volume, fast-paced litigation caseload with DCYF findings under Title 26 RCW
• Manage pre-trial motions, remote hearings, and potential appellate litigation
• Coordinate with clients, social workers, and courts; travel for in-person hearings as needed
• Collaborate within a team of attorneys and support staff to ensure client needs are met

Skills

Litigation

Writing skills

Oral advocacy

Communication

Organization

Independence in practice

Education

ABA-accredited law school or WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program

Job description

Description

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

• 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 will maintain a high volume, fast paced, and sometimes contentious litigation caseload set with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) regarding findings issued by the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) under Title 26 RCW. These cases involve allegations of child abuse or neglect by the parents or legal custodians. The immediate client is DCYF typically appearing through social workers and/or supervisors. The attorney will have frequent court appearances. Pre-trial motions and status conferences are often conducted remotely, by phone or videoconference. Trials could be set for an in person proceeding or could be conducted remotely. A typical day for an attorney in this position may involve participating in short, remote hearings with OAH, reviewing case files, writing and responding to motions, meetings with the client, communicating with various parties via email and preparing for trials. The attorneys in this position may also be responsible for handling appellate litigation arising from trials. The attorney in this position will be required to travel to courts outside of Spokane when in person hearings are required.

Although the currently available assignment includes the type of work described above, the attorney in this position will be part of a team of attorneys with varied assignments that also include dependency, termination or guardianship caseloads for DCYF, DSHS clients and work related to protecting other vulnerable populations in our community. All attorneys in this team are expected to assist their coworkers as needed to ensure that all client needs are met. The attorney in this position may have future opportunities to experience other areas of law or change assignments depending on the interest of the attorney and the needs of the team. The attorneys in this section are part of a cohesive group of litigators and legal professionals who serve the public daily in their work.

Qualifications

• An expressed interest in the practice of public sector law;
• Strong desire to litigate on a regular basis;
• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills;
• Exceptional communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Desire to work in a fast paced environment;
• The ability to handle a heavy caseload through multi-tasking in cases involving often difficult subject matter;
• Experience communicating or working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences; and
• A candidate who is interested in practicing independently in Eastern Washington counties outside of Spokane is preferred.

Other skills that attorneys in these positions use on a daily basis include the ability to successfully negotiate contested matters, interview witnesses, review discovery, and provide effective client advice. This position has familiarity not only with state and federal laws governing child welfare cases, but also with the Administrative Procedures Act. While litigation experience or experience in juvenile law is a plus, they are not required. The candidate selected will also have the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment and the desire to promote a positive work environment based upon mutual respect and professionalism.

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.

Interested applicants may contact [e-mail] or [phone] for additional information regarding the position. 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.

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.