Closing Date: 31st May, 2026

Description:

Description:
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at
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. (https://www.atg.wa.gov/publications-reports)

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 (https://ofm.wa.gov/hr-policies/labor-relations/collective-bargaining-agreements/washington-federation-of-state-employees-association-of-washington-assistant-attorneys-general-wfse-awaag-2025-27/)
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 (https://ofm.wa.gov/hr-policies/labor-relations/collective-bargaining-agreements/washington-federation-of-state-employees-association-of-washington-assistant-attorneys-general-wfse-awaag-2025-27/)
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 Children, Youth, and Families Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/children-youth-families) (CYF) of the WA State Attorney General's Office has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in its Juvenile Litigation Section.

Duties:
The CYF Division is made up of two sections, the Juvenile Litigation (JUV) Section and the Program Advice and Litigation (PAL) Section. The JUV Section has an exciting opportunity for an Intake AAG who will primarily review and advise on dependency petitions and related court filings and consult with Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) staff on dependency petitions, motions to have children removed, shelter care hearings, and discovery obligations. This position will have a fast-paced mix of verbal and written client advice and litigation assignments. This position will also consult with AAGs on discovery disputes, including by drafting pleadings, and will litigate foster care and child care licensing and CAPTA hearings before the Office of Administrative Hearings and higher courts. This AAG may also conduct trainings for DCYF and section AAGs on dependency petitions and shelter care hearings, among other subjects. If you are knowledgeable about child welfare practice, have strong legal writing and client counseling skills, are looking for a mix of client counseling and litigation assignments, and are an enthusiastic collaborator, this would be an excellent fit for you. While the CYF Division is in Tumwater, this position may be located in any AG's office statewide.

The Section's Work:
The JUV Section provides legal representation to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The subject matter can be difficult, but the work is remarkably rewarding. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state in a very meaningful way.

The seventeen-attorney JUV Section represents DCYF in child welfare cases in Thurston, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, and Pacific Counties' juvenile and superior courts and in appellate courts, as well as foster care and childcare licensing cases before the Office of Administrative Hearings. Section attorneys spend significant time litigating in superior court, advising clients, identifying and developing legal strategy, and achieving resolution of cases through settlement and trial. This position will primarily advise the client on juvenile litigation issues and consult with other AAGs on the team, including by reviewing and drafting pleadings, and will handle administrative hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings and higher courts. Section attorneys also provide ongoing training to DCYF social workers and colleagues in the AGO.

The AAG will join a division and section with staff who are talented, compassionate, highly collegial, and dedicated to serving in an essential role in the protection of the State's most vulnerable people. Members of the division and section are uniformly committed to creating a workplace that is cooperative, inclusive, and supportive of personal and professional growth. This full-time position may be located in any AG's office statewide and may involve travel.

Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, desirable qualifications include:

The ability to juggle competing priorities and emergent issues,
Knowledge of the laws, rules and procedures related to juvenile litigation and child welfare legal requirements,
The ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing with coworkers and clients,
The ability to effectively collaborate with coworkers and clients,
A passion for child welfare, and
Due to the challenging subject matter, flexibility and empathy are also desirable qualities.

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.

Supplemental Information:
This 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. AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA (https://ofm.wa.gov/hr-policies/labor-relations/collective-bargaining-agreements/washington-federation-of-state-employees-association-of-washington-assistant-attorneys-general-wfse-awaag-2025-27/). 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. (https://www.atg.wa.gov/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 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, you are welcome and encouraged to contact Section Chief Margaret MacRae at 360-999-7748 or by email at Margaret.MacRae@atg.wa.gov or Division Chief Carrie Wayno at 360-586-6498 or by email at Carrie.Wayno@atg.wa.gov.