Assistant Attorney General - Tort Litigation Unit

Full Job Description

Requirements

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Tort Litigation Unit handles tort, civil rights, and employment claims against the State of Colorado and its employees.

Our attorneys represent Colorado’s Office of Risk Management, state agencies, institutions of higher education, and employees sued in state and federal court.

We defend tort claims and also claims brought under such statutes as the Colorado Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act, C.R.S. § 13-21-131, and 42 U.S.C.

§ 1983, as well as a wide range of employment laws.

Beyond litigation, our team partners closely with clients to proactively manage risk. We provide practical legal advice and investigative support to help prevent claims and mitigate exposure in areas involving personal injury, civil rights, and employment matters.

Attorneys in this role:

• Lead the defense of often high-profile cases involving civil rights, personal injury claims, and employment law, including constitutional issues in federal and state court;
• Manage a full litigation docket, from early case assessment and dispositive motions through discovery, engagement of experts, trial, and appeal. We brief and argue appeals before the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court, and the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals;
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the State Office of Risk Management, state agencies, and institutions of higher education, on litigation risk and strategy;
• Collaborate with a talented, mission-driven group of litigators and general counsel across the Attorney General’s Office to deliver exceptional representation and results.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section at Department of Law.

Salary note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). Effective July 1, 2025, the salary range for an AAG I is $88,197-$117,964/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). Effective July 1, 2025, the AAG II salary range is $102,099 - $136,558/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualified applicants must be admitted to the Colorado bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. We seek a skilled, team-oriented litigator who is comfortable leading cases independently as they collaborate with colleagues and clients. The ideal candidate brings strong interpersonal skills; thrives on a collaborative and friendly work environment; and is a proven high performer. The strongest candidates will have:

• At least three years of meaningful civil litigation experience in state and/or federal court, with a demonstrated ability to manage cases and move them forward;
• Experience with, or a strong interest in developing expertise in, government-specific defenses, including the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, Eleventh Amendment immunity, qualified immunity, and absolute judicial immunity;
• Experience handling, or a strong interest in developing expertise in employment-related claims, including discrimination, retaliation, and related workplace issues;
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to develop and execute effective litigation strategies in complex cases; and
• A commitment to public service and to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in both client representation and workplace culture.

The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Conditions of employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment.

For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar, please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLYApplicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the on-line applications including the Contact Information section.

Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the on-line application.Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references.

Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.ADAAA RequestsThe Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher at hr@coag.gov.




WHY WORK FOR USWe Embrace FlexibilityWe aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members – which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving.

We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute.

As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce.

We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more!

If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!

We Have Strong Core ValuesOur core values drive our actions.

At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.

We are Committed to Developing our AttorneysWe are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching.

Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed. We Offer Excellent Benefits

In addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:


Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan

• Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
• Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
• Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.