Assistant Attorney General - Labor & Industries Division, Seattle

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 Washington State Attorney General's Office's Labor & Industries Division, Seattle has an opening for an attorney to serve as an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) representing the Department of Labor and Industries in litigation involving a number of different potential program areas including workers' compensation, worker health and safety, and employment standards.

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 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 Seattle 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.

Typical responsibilities of the LNI Division's litigation attorneys include:

An 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 preferred candidate will have:

Prior litigation experience is not required, but for those with prior experience the division will adapt training and case assignment to the experience level of the successful candidate. Both new and experienced attorneys are encouraged to apply!

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 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.

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.

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) that shows the date your JD 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 Diana Cartwright at Diana.Cartwright@atg.wa.gov or 206-389-2122.

*************************

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.