Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Bellingham

Full Job Description

The Washington State Attorney General's Office is looking for an attorney to serve in its Regional Services Division in Bellingham, WA.

Are you interested in public service while living in the Bellingham, Washington area?

Are you a new law school graduate looking to develop your litigation and client advice skills in an agency that provides exceptional training and mentorship?

Are you an experienced attorney looking to join a team committed to outstanding public service and work-life balance?

Do you want a diverse trial and appellate practice in a variety of courts representing clients that are committed to serving their local communities and the people of the State of Washington?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, we are excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative Regional Services Division in the Bellingham office, where you will serve a critical role as an Attorney with our Juvenile Litigation team.

While you will be primarily assigned to the Juvenile Litigation team, you will also have the unique opportunity to expand your experience with additional opportunities to work with a wide variety of clients including state agencies and educational institutions.

This position is located in beautiful Bellingham, Washington, between the bay and mountains halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.

Bellingham is home to Western Washington University, the third largest state university. This is a great town to raise families and recreate every day.

Bellingham has a lively local arts community, and many features of a large city without the traffic or crowds.

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will find opportunities year rounds, including snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, kayaking and hiking.

The office is comprised of individuals committed to serving the public.

We seek like-minded public stewards who are interested in serving the state, protecting the people, and being kind to their fellow employees.

All in the pursuit of being the best public service law office in the United States.

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

This attorney will work in a fast-paced litigation environment entailing frequent state court docket and trial appearances.

The Bellingham location consists of 14 attorneys and 11 professional staff working in a variety of legal practice areas representing various state agencies and higher education institutions in Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties.

Client agencies served by this division in this location include Department of Children Youth and Families, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Labor and Industries, Skagit Valley College, Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College, Educational Service District 189.

All attorneys in this division are assigned to a wide variety of clients according to the needs of the client agencies and the office, as well as the skills, experiences, and professional development needs of attorneys.

All attorneys in this division are assigned to a wide variety of clients according to the needs of the client agencies and the office, as well as the skills, experiences, and professional development needs of attorneys.

It is anticipated that the attorney in this position will be primarily assigned to the representation of DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases.

The subject matter can be difficult, but the work is remarkably rewarding. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way.

The position will also likely include representation of DCYF in childcare, foster care, and group care licensing cases.

These cases involve advising the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters, representing the agency in contested matters before the Office of Administrative Hearings, and related Superior Court judicial review proceedings under the Washington Administrative Procedures Act.

The position will involve regular regional travel within Washington State.

For representation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the assigned AAG can expect to:

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention.
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act to the juvenile cases.
• Review relevant petitions and other documents.
• Consult with social workers and other agency employees.
• Submit and respond to discovery.
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial.
• Review reports submitted to the court.
• Perform research and analysis.
• Submit relevant briefing to the court.
• Communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem to resolve issues related to underlying cases.
• Consider settlement options.
• Take all other actions related to these matters.

All attorneys in the Regional Services Division may be assigned to a wide variety of clients according to the needs of the client agencies and the office, as well as the skills, experiences, and professional development needs of attorneys.

The attorney hired for this position will join a division composed of talented and dedicated colleagues, all of whom are determined to provide the best legal services for the clients and people they serve.

At the same time, the Regional Services Division, like the whole of the Attorney General's Office, is committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere which is supportive, inclusive and collegial for its employees, with the shared goal of achieving a high level of personal and professional satisfaction.

The Regional Services 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 following qualifications are preferred:

• The ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of 60 or more cases at a time, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day;
• An interest in civil litigation including engaging in discovery, drafting motions and briefs, negotiating with other parties and presenting oral arguments before various courts and tribunals;
• Ability to travel to the assigned counties and throughout the state;
• Ability to use electronic files and case management tools;
• The ability to contribute positively to a team and interact successfully with interested groups and members of the public;
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to multitask by managing an active caseload and meeting tight deadlines; and
• Values working in an inclusive, creative and collaborative work environment.

Whether you're an experienced attorney or you've just graduated from law school and have taken the bar, we encourage you 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 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.

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 want to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Section Chief, Sarah Reyes at (360) 676-2048 / SarahJ.Reyes@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 orwww.washingtonrelay.com.