Team Leader - Criminal Justice Division's Sexually Violent Predator Unit, Seattle

State of Washington Attorney General's Office; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Telecommuting options

Mentoring program

Health and wellness program

Training and career development

Job summary

Washington State Attorney General's Office in Seattle seeks an experienced attorney to supervise a trial team prosecuting SVP civil commitment cases. The role involves leading 3–4 attorneys, reporting to the SVP Section Chief, and coordinating with paralegals and investigators to ensure effective litigation across state courts.

The position requires at least five years of trial experience and admission to Washington state courts.

Qualifications

• At least five years of trial experience.
• Admission to practice in Washington state courts.
• Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school or completion of WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a trial team of 3–4 attorneys handling SVP civil commitment cases.
• Report to the SVP Section Chief and coordinate with legal staff, paralegals and investigators.
• Oversee trial preparation, supervise performance, and contribute to training for less-experienced attorneys.

Skills

Trial experience

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

ABA-accredited law school

Job description

About The Washington State Attorney General's Office

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 - MAAG1 salaries are set between $88,056 and $164,940. 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

Position Summary

The Bob Keppel Criminal Justice Division of the Washington State Attorney General's Office has an exciting opportunity in its Seattle office for attorneys interested in supervising a team of attorneys who prosecute the civil commitment of sexually violent predators. The attorney selected for this position will serve as a Trial Team Leader and supervise other attorneys in the Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Unit of the Criminal Justice Division. The attorney will also handle a lesser caseload of SVP civil commitment cases in addition to supervisory duties. The SVP Unit prosecutes civil commitment cases throughout Washington's 39 counties.

We seek an attorney with significant litigation experience to lead and supervise a trial team of 3 to 4 attorneys who prosecute SVP cases. The selected candidate will report to the SVP Section Chief. The selected candidate will work with other attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants and investigators to successfully prosecute SVP cases. The selected candidate is responsible for managing attorneys under their supervision, evaluating attorney performance, assisting/mentoring attorneys in trial preparation, and assisting in the development of training for less-experienced trial attorneys.

SVP caseloads consist of civil commitment and post commitment trial work in the superior courts, as well as appeals that arise from these cases in both state and federal courts. SVP cases are civil in nature. Trial litigation duties include pretrial discovery under the civil rules such as depositions, interrogatories and requests for production. Duties also include litigating SVP cases through all phases of the SVP proceedings, including filing decisions, initial commitment trials (both bench and jury), post commitment proceedings (including bench and jury release trials), and some appeals. The selected candidate will supervise trial attorneys performing these tasks while also carrying a lesser SVP caseload.

Work in the SVP Unit is demanding but rewarding. The selected candidate will join a staff of experienced attorneys and professional staff dedicated to safer communities. The selected candidate must contribute to a collegial and inclusive work environment. The position is located in downtown Seattle, but travel around the state for trial preparation and court hearings/trial is required.

Qualifications

• At least five years of trial experience; and
• Admission to practice in Washington state courts.

Preferred Candidates possess

• Experience litigating SVP cases.
• Management experience
• Considerable litigation experience in either civil or criminal law;
• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills to work well with others in an inclusive, collegial setting;
• Superior motivation and organizational skills;
• The ability and desire to coordinate and lead complex litigation; and
• Superior advocacy skills required to bring cases to a successful resolution.

Application Requirements

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.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

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 .

Background Checks

NOTE! The applicants selected will be required to submit to and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Criminal Records Division. The incumbent will submit to additional background checks as a condition of employment every five (5) years thereafter.

Salary and Assignment Pay

This MAAG1 position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. MAAG1 salaries are set between $88,056 and $164,940. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. This position is located in King County and is thus eligible for 5% King County Assignment Pay. 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. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies.

Contact

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to call SVP Section Chief CJ Murray at 206-389-3876.

Additional Information

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.

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].