Deputy Solicitor General - Solicitor General's Office, Olympia or 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 - DSG salaries are set between $90,444and $169,392. 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 WA State Office of the Attorney General has an opening in the Solicitor General's Office for a Deputy Solicitor General. This position will be located in Olympia or downtown Seattle depending on the needs and interests of the person hired to fill this role.

The Solicitor General's Office (SGO) is the division within the AGO responsible for United States Supreme Court practice, appellate assistance programs, coordinating amicus briefs, preparing Attorney General Opinions, writing ballot measure materials, coordinating statewide legal issues, coordinating certain litigation involving the federal government, and at times directly representing the State in significant matters.

The Solicitor General’s Office consists of an outstanding group of twelve attorneys and six professional staff. The members of the Division are good-humored, collaborative, 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 committed to providing exceptional legal services.

Requirements

The attorney selected for this position will independently handle select litigation and appeals (including briefing and oral argument) in state and federal courts; assist attorneys throughout the AGO with their appeals, including developing strategy, editing briefs, and coaching for oral argument; provide legal advice on a broad array of legal issues of statewide importance; draft state and federal amicus briefs; and prepare and review Attorney General Opinions and ballot measure materials.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as a Deputy Solicitor General, candidates should possess:

• Excellent analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills
• An affinity for working in an atmosphere where collaboration and teamwork are valued priorities
• A demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, experience levels, and communication styles
• An interest in mentoring others, including providing constructive feedback

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 Deputy Solicitor General position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO.

Deputy SG salaries are set between $90,444 and $169,392. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA.

The salary of an employee who's official duty station is Seattle would reflect an additional 5% King County Assignment Pay per legislative action.

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)showing date law degree 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 Kelsi Zweifel at Kelsi.Zweifel@atg.wa.gov or (360) 753-4111.

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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.