First Assistant Attorney General (Public Officials)

Full Job Description

The State Services Section is seeking a First Assistant Attorney General to lead its Public Officials Unit in advancing the public interest through high-impact civil litigation.

The unit advises and represents statewide elected and appointed officials, as well as state agencies, boards, and commissions, in matters that frequently involve public policy issues of statewide and national importance.

This position offers an opportunity to provide strategic leadership and mentorship to a team of dedicated attorneys while overseeing complex civil litigation involving novel legal issues and significant public policy matters with lasting implications for the State and its citizens.

WHO WE ARE
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the "People's Lawyer." The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief legal representative and serves as legal counsel to all state executive and judicial agencies, departments, boards, and commissions. Our vision for the Department of Law is: "Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all." Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General’s Office here.

Requirements

The Public Officials Unit counsels and represents Colorado's statewide elected officials (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer), as well as the Judicial Department and several of its sub-offices, the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the State Auditor.

This unit regularly handles challenging public policy litigation, including constitutional challenges to Colorado law, such as gun control legislation.The First Assistant Attorney General is responsible for leading a team of attorneys, paralegals, and administrative assistants consistent with the values of the Department of Law.

The First will promote collaboration, engagement, integrity, and exceptional legal service.WHAT YOU WILL DOThe First Assistant Attorney General is one of the most important roles in our office.

In this role, you will guide the Unit in delivering high- quality, cost-effective legal services to clients, as well as supervise employees while also carrying an independent workload.

Managing this team involves coordinating and supervising litigation of major cases and general counsel work; hiring staff and attorneys, conducting regular performance meetings and evaluations, handling discipline and HR issues; maintaining and developing good relationships with clients; coordinating workflow; coordinating and/or supervising the work of Special Assistant Attorneys General; and drafting reports for the Department of Law.You will also advise senior leadership on pending issues of public interest and importance and must identify pressing issues as they arise.

You will provide strategic legal counsel and leadership for the representation of elected officials and senior leadership within state government.

You will exercise independent legal judgment in matters involving constitutional authority, statutory interpretation, and intergovernmental relations, and you will guide teams in navigating the dual obligations of providing zealous, professional representation to governmental clients while upholding the Attorney General’s paramount duty to the constitution, the rule of law, and the public interest.

You will also model collaborative leadership by working closely with elected officials, agency leadership, and internal stakeholders to deliver candid legal advice, proactively assess legal risk, and ensure consistent, principled, and nonpartisan representation across administrations.The First Assistant serves as a frontline leader and contributes to the overall leadership of the Department of Law.

You will also be responsible for inspiring, coaching, leading, and supporting your team of professionals, drawing out the best from your team and pushing them to fulfill the Department of Law's mission of protecting the rule of law and ensuring justice for all Coloradoans.

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.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies:

• Litigation Leadership & First-Chair Experience - Demonstrates substantial first-chair litigation experience in complex, high-stakes matters; exercises sound strategic judgment in representing the State and public officials in significant cases; and leads trial teams with confidence, accountability, and excellence.
• Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence - Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with members of the public, colleagues, and staff.
• Communication & Listening - Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with the public, leadership, colleagues, and staff.
• Flexible & Adaptable Management - Accepts, adapts, and contributes positively to change; leads with new concepts and ideas; and encourages others to be equally adaptive and flexible.
• Coaching & Developing People - Invests in our talent through coaching and sponsorship and by pushing individuals outside of their comfort zones to grow as professionals.
• Creative & Strategic Problem Solving - Takes a result-oriented, open-minded, and innovative approach to overcoming challenges and dealing with crises.
• Enterprise & Growth Mindset - Balances the desires of the public, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise.

Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General position must meet the following criteria:

• Admitted to the Colorado bar or clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment
• Demonstrated experience with supervising and coaching lawyers and legal professionals
• Outstanding writing and analytical skills

Our ideal candidates will have practiced law for a minimum of seven years, and demonstrate progressively more challenging legal experience, including team, project, or case management responsibilities and the resolution of complex legal issues. Desired qualifications include:

• Substantial experience litigating complex civil matters, particularly those involving constitutional, administrative law, or public policy issues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and mentor attorneys handling high-stakes and legally sophisticated cases.
• Experience representing and counseling governmental entities or public officials, or comparable public-interest litigation experience.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form 1-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• The Public Officials Unit offers flexible work arrangements. First Assistant Attorneys General are encouraged to
  work in the office at least 2 or 3 days per week, however alternative in-person and remote work arrangements will be considered.

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

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the online applications including the Contact Information section.

Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the online application.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) one independent writing sample, and 4) three professional references.

Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.

Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

ADAAA Requests

The 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.

For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov.

WHY WORK FOR US

We Embrace Flexibility

We 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 Values

Our 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 Attorneys

We 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.