Assistant Attorney General - Bankruptcy and Collections Unit, Seattle

Full Job Description

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is looking for an attorney to serve in the Bankruptcy and Collections Unit (BCU) in downtown Seattle, WA.

About the 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.

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

Requirements

The Bankruptcy and Collections Unit (BCU) supports the efforts of state agencies in enforcing state tax laws and recovering debts owed to the State of Washington.

Located in Seattle, the BCU is part of the AGO’s Revenue and Finance Division.

The BCU primarily represents three state agencies in bankruptcy cases – the Departments of Revenue, Labor & Industries, and Employment Security – and appears in bankruptcy courts nationwide.

The BCU also handles advice and litigation related to the collection of child support in bankruptcy cases.

In addition, the BCU files a significant number of collection actions against the bonds of contractors that are delinquent in tax payments.

The BCU appears in superior court to defend the priority of state liens and to assert claims against funds retained by governmental entities under public works contracts.

The BCU trains tax agency personnel who handle bankruptcy and collections claims.

Typical responsibilities of BCU attorneys include:

The BCU’s three attorneys and five professional staff work in a collegial environment.

The BCU, like the AGO as a whole, is a collaborative and respectful workplace that actively invests in its employees’ professional growth.

Attorneys are encouraged to attend annual training sponsored by the National Association of Attorneys General and local bankruptcy training programs (when funding permits).

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, preferred applicants for this position should be knowledgeable of bankruptcy and collections laws, receiverships, garnishments, federal and state court practice and procedures; be experienced in motions practice and presenting oral arguments in the superior and bankruptcy courts; possess excellent writing, editing, communication, listening, and interpersonal skills; and have an understanding of budgets and debt determinations and the ability to apply that knowledge in one’s work product.

The successful candidate must also be able to foster teamwork, promote a positive work environment that recognizes and respects all employees, and possess good judgment.

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.

Additional Information

This Assistant Attorney General 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.

Positions located in King County are 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.

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

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) that shows the date your JD was conferred; and
• Writing sample (no more than 10 pages).

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Division Chief Dan Jensen at dan.jensen@atg.wa.gov or (360) 664-9429 and/or Section Chief Dina Yunker at Dina.yunker@atg.wa.gov or (206) 389-2198.

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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.

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.