Assistant Attorney General - Labor & Industries Division, Olympia

Full Job Description

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 Labor and Industries (LNI) Division of the WA State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an attorney to serve as an AAG representing the Department of Labor and Industries in litigation.

LNI is looking for attorneys who:

• Is looking to develop their litigation skills;
• Have interest in representing a state agency that has a goal of doing the right thing under the law and facts;
• Aims to resolve matters short of litigation through settlement and mediation where appropriate; and
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment with opportunities to learn multiple areas of law.

The division will adapt training, case assignment, and litigation or advice opportunities to the experience level of the successful candidates.

Requirements

The LNI Division is a dynamic, diverse, inclusive, and collegial division.

All of the LNI Division's 100+ staff are respected for their individual contributions and attributes, and all share the same commitment to serving the public by providing excellent legal services in support of their client's mission to protect workers, preserve the industrial insurance accident fund, and help injured workers heal and return to work.

The LNI Division handles litigation and advice for the Department of Labor and Industries in a broad array of areas, including worker’s compensation, worker health and safety, employer services, employment standards, wage theft, building trades, and crime victim's compensation.

The workload of the division includes client advice and fast-paced litigation before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, the Office of Administrative Hearings, Superior Courts, Courts of Appeal, and Federal Courts.

The Olympia LNI Division strives to make professional growth a priority and allow staff to develop their practice in areas of law that interest them, while still meeting the business needs of the section. AAGs are encouraged to take on more responsibility and subject matters as their careers progress, including training, leadership, and professional development opportunities. In addition, the Division supports its staff members to maintain healthy work-life balance and offers flexible schedules with telework opportunities.

AAGs representing LNI can play many roles in litigation, including defense, affirmative litigation, and a quasi-prosecutorial role.

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 in the LNI Division independently handle all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motion practice, and resolving cases through hearing, trial, or negotiated settlements.

Occasional statewide travel is required, but most events can be completed remotely with few requiring in-person attendance. If in-person attendance is required, it is usually in southwestern Washington.

Typical responsibilities of the LNI Division's 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.

The attorney hired for this position will need to be flexible, adaptive, organized, and able to work well in partnership with technical staff and professional staff.

A successful attorney can expect to handle technically challenging subject matters, such as cases involving medical and vocational experts.

The LNI Division offers great mentors, a team atmosphere, and supports and encourages flexibility and creativity.

Qualifications

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

Prior litigation experience with labor standards is not required for general litigation Assistant Attorney General candidates, but is 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 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 and preferably as PDFs:

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

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Section Chief Sarah Kortokrax at SarahE.Kortokrax@atg.wa.gov.

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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 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.