AAG - Gov. Compliance & Enforcement Division, Olympia

Full Job 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.

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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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 WA State Attorney General’s Office’s Government Compliance and Enforcement Division (GCE) seeks applicants for an opening in its Advice and Compliance Section.

GCE is a professional and inclusive work environment where teamwork, high quality legal service, and work-life balance are highly valued.

GCE includes 56 attorneys and professional staff located on the Capitol Campus with direct access to downtown Olympia and the beautiful State Capitol grounds.

GCE provide legal services to nearly 40 state agencies, boards, and commissions, including those that protect citizens by regulating health care providers, insurers, liquor and cannabis businesses, gambling, campaign finance, ethics, financial institutions, and more.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with assigned client agencies on complex, high profile and cutting edge legal issues.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be part of a section of 11 attorneys that provide advice and related litigation services for client agencies.

Section attorneys represent the offices of three elected officials: the Secretary of State, the Insurance Commissioner, and the State Auditor.

Other section clients include the Department of Financial Institutions, the Public Disclosure Commission, the Office of Equity, the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises, the Washington Historical Society, the Human Rights Commission, the Governor’s Subcabinet on Supplier Diversity, the African-American Affairs Commission, the Asian American Affairs Commission, the Hispanic Affairs Commission, the Women’s Commission, and the LGBTQ Commission.

Final client assignments will be dependent on experience, interest, and division needs, but the successful candidate will likely serve as lead counsel to one or more of these agencies.

Section attorneys frequently provide legal advice on: the scope of client agencies’ authority; interaction between state and federal law; constitutional questions; public records; open public meetings; proposed legislation; contracts; rulemaking; and other APA issues.

GCE AAGs develop strong working relationships with their client agencies at the executive level and have frequent contact on advice matters in the form of meetings, phone calls, email, and written memos.

While the work is largely advised-based, section attorneys occasionally handle litigation. The section works closely with each other and share resources.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, well-qualified applicants will offer:

• Prior experience in providing client advice;
• Experience with state agency operations;
• Familiarity with litigation in state and federal court;
• Strong research, writing, and oral presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with clients and others;
• The ability to successfully handle competing, time-sensitive assignments; and
• A commitment to a diverse, creative and collaborative work environment.

Candidates with at least three years of previous experience as a practicing attorney are preferred.

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 by motion 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.

Additional Information

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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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.

Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies.

Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system, preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) showing the date law degree was conferred; and
• Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Section Chief Matt Kernutt at matthew.kernutt@atg.wa.gov or 360-586-0740.

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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 HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.

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.