Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Everett/Bellingham

Full Job Description

Join the Regional Services Division providing excellent litigation services and client advice to state agencies and educational institutions throughout the State of Washington.

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 those questions, we are excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative Regional Services Division where you will serve a critical role as an Attorney primarily representing the Department of Social and Health Services.

While this would be your primary assignment, RSD provides the unique opportunity to expand your experience with additional opportunities to work with a wide variety of clients including other state agencies and educational institutions.

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

The position provides the opportunity to immerse oneself in a litigation practice.

This includes initiating guardianship proceedings in Superior Court on behalf of Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Adult Protective Services (APS).

Guardianship cases involve factual and legal issues regarding the physical and mental health and safety of vulnerable adults in situations where DSHS initiates a guardianship under RCW Title 11.

This attorney will also develop litigation expertise under Washington's Administrative Procedures Act with cases that may include judicial review of APS findings.

In addition, this attorney will handle licensing matters for the Residential Care Services division of DSHS in administrative hearings, superior court and at the appellate level.

The attorney will handle matters arising in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan and Island counties.

Licensing cases involve factual and legal issues regarding the licensure of services provided by third party licensees to vulnerable populations.

The attorney may also be a member of the AGO Vulnerable Adult Task Force and the AGO/Medicaid Fraud Control Division Long Term Care Coalition which involves a collaborative approach among the many divisions within the AGO, the client, and other stakeholders to address the issues facing this vulnerable population.

In addition, all attorneys in this division may be assigned to a wide variety of clients according to the business needs of the office.

Because cases can present emergent situations affecting an individual's health and safety, the attorney in this position sometimes provides advice and representation under pressure.

The attorney works with case managers and social workers to evaluate evidence to determine whether action should be taken by DSHS related to the individual's benefits or care provider and whether the evidence in the case is legally sufficient to support Court intervention.

In addition, the attorney in this position reviews relevant petitions and other documents, consults with social workers and other DSHS employees, submits and responds to discovery, prepares witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial, reviews reports submitted to the court, performs research and analysis, submits relevant briefing to the court, considers creative settlement options, and takes other action related to these matters.

The attorney advises and represents DSHS in litigation and on appeal.

The members of the Everett and Bellingham offices are good-humored, team-oriented, and hard working. Every member is invested in the success of the other team members.

Accordingly, this division, like the rest of the AGO, enjoys a collegial, inclusive and respectful working environment in which every person is demonstratively committed to providing exceptional legal services, and each person is given the tools to excel professionally and the necessary support to reach a healthy work-life balance.

This is a full-time position located in either Everett or Bellingham.

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 many 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;
• A passion for protecting vulnerable populations;
• 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:

• For Everett, please contact Section Chief, Jasmine Alonso at (425) 257-2176 / Jasmine.Alonso@atg.wa.gov

• For Bellingham please contact Section Chief, Sarah Reyes at (360) 676-2048 / SarahJ.Reyes@atg.wa.gov

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.