Managing Assistant Attorney General 1 - Torts Division, Tumwater

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 - AAG salaries are set between $86,328 and $161,700. 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 Attorney General's Office's Torts Division seeks a dynamic, mission-driven attorney to lead the Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) Program.

This critical management role is ideal for an attorney who is ready to lead, mentor, and drive meaningful outcomes in service of the State.

As a managing attorney of the SAAG program, you will direct, oversee, and mentor attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff; manage complex tort litigation; and guide case evaluation, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution strategies.

You will also play a vital role in fostering the professional development of a dynamic team within the AGO, as this position leads and manages a team consisting of 1 attorney and 6 professional staff.

The Division represents all state agencies involved in tort lawsuits and claims and this team facilitates and manages the cases that are handled by outside counsel on contract with the AGO as Special Assistant Attorneys General.

Attorneys in this division develop subject matter expertise in wide-ranging, diverse areas of law including employment law, civil rights, highway design, and complex child abuse matters.

If you're passionate about mentoring legal professionals, excelling in the courtroom, and contributing to meaningful legal work in a supportive and flexible environment, the Torts Division is the ideal place for you!

Why join Torts?

Collaborative Team: You will work closely with a dedicated and experienced team of attorneys and legal professionals who are committed to providing high-quality legal services to government clients.

Supportive Infrastructure: Our Agency provides ample resources, including access to cutting-edge legal research tools, expert witnesses, and administrative support to ensure you can focus on litigation and legal strategy.

Professional Growth: As a member of a fast-paced, highly respected practice, you will have the opportunity to work on high-profile cases and expand your skills in a specialized area of civil litigation.

Continuing legal education and mentorship opportunities are provided to support your career development

Make a tangible impact on lives across the state by joining a mission-driven Division built on trust, teamwork, and service!

Requirements

This influential role supports the AGO’s commitment to delivering independent, ethical, and high-quality legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people.

As the SAAG Program Leader, you will oversee and mentor attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff; manage complex tort litigation; and guide case evaluation, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution strategies.

You will provide guidance, mentorship, and support to attorneys of varying experience levels as they handle a diverse range of legal matters.

You will collaborate closely with division leadership to assign cases, manage contracts, update program guidelines, and strengthen partnerships with state agencies and risk managers.

This Managing Assistant Attorney General (MAAG) position drives the Torts Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) program.

Working closely with the Litigation and Litigation Support Section Chiefs, you will perform critical case review to determine the appropriate SAAG assignment, direct the contract management, and oversee all SAAG activity from initiation to completion.

This role monitors the SAAG budget, reviews invoices and contracts for compliance, and strengthens the coordination of SAAG litigation work within the division.

You will lead training efforts, streamline communication, and keep leadership and clients informed about this critical portfolio of work.

Success in this role demands the ability to thrive in a high-volume environment, adapt quickly, and apply strong legal, communication, organizational, and case management skills.

We are looking for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, exercises sound professional judgment, communicates effectively, and is committed to fostering excellence within the division.

This role requires strong supervisory skills, high ethical standards, and the ability to manage a demanding workload with professionalism and clarity.

If you are ready to take on a leadership role that strengthens public service, elevates legal practice, and safeguards the interests of Washington State, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the successful candidate will have:

Torts litigation experience, while advantageous, is not essential.

What is essential, the successful applicant must have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn and develop new skills, and a desire to work as part of a larger team.

Relevant subject matter experience may be helpful but is not required.

Employees in the Torts Division work in a collaborative environment; thus, the ability to work as a member of the team and to affirmatively contribute to the Division’s respectful and inclusive workplace is essential and required.

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

MAAG salaries are set between $86,328 and $161,700. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA.

The salary of an employee whose 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 wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Torts Litigation Support Section Chief Nicholas Ulrich at Nicholas.Ulrich@atg.wa.gov or 509-456-6390 or Scott Barbara at Scott.Barbara@atg.wa.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 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.