Closing Date: 18th October, 2026
Description:
Description: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.
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:
The Washington State Attorney General's Office's Social and Health Services Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/social-health-services-olympia) in Tumwater, WA has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in the Healthcare Authority Section.
Our team of 44 attorneys and 28 professional staff works at the heart of Washington's social safety net. We provide legal support for five state agencies, including the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA), to provide benefits, protection, and care to some of our state's most vulnerable and disenfranchised residents.
Our cases range from large federal court class action cases to individual administrative appeals. Our recent cases include challenges to state employee health benefits programs and a challenge to the adequacy of the state's mental health services.
We also handle a wide range of legal matters, including:
Our division is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive workplace. We prioritize employee growth through a culture that recognizes hard work and provides active support for career advancement. Regular social events help us connect and strengthen our collaborative team dynamic - join us!
Duties:
The Health Care Authority section of the SHO Division advises and represents the programs administered by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA), including Medicaid, Public Employee Benefits, School Employee Benefits, and community mental health and recovery programs. The section also provides legal support to Washington's Health Benefit Exchange. The section represents both the HCA and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in litigation, in which they partner as co-defendants with regard to programs involving both agencies. An attorney interested in this position should possess excellent analytical and writing skills, and a desire to have a practice involving both client advice and litigation.
Issues that commonly arise in representing the Medicaid program include client eligibility, covered benefits, recovery of state funds from responsible third parties, audits of Medicaid providers (physicians, pharmacists, durable medical equipment providers, dentists, hospitals, etc.), privacy, contract disputes with Medicaid providers, and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid litigation commonly involves disputes regarding payment rates for and contractual issues with Medicaid-contracted health care providers. Issues that commonly arise in representing the Public Employee Benefits and School Employee Benefits programs include member eligibility, covered benefits, complex contract procurement, public disclosure, privacy, and open public meetings. Community mental health and recovery program advice and litigation often involve situations where individuals are subject to the involuntary treatment act or need access to mental health or substance use disorder services. Attorneys in the Health Care Authority section appear in state and federal courts litigating different types of lawsuits including class actions and administrative litigation. In addition to the primary assignment, other work may be available representing HCA or DSHS, depending on interest and client priorities.
Typical daily work for this position may include administrative litigation regarding client benefits, working on a multi-attorney litigation team to defend agency action, and conducting research to provide options-based legal advice to clients.
Qualifications:
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 AAG 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 $83,856 and $157,080. 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.
Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:
If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Division Chief Natalie King at Natalie.King@atg.wa.gov or 360.586.6485.
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 $83,856 and $157,080. 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 Washington State Attorney General's Office's Social and Health Services Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/social-health-services-olympia) in Tumwater, WA has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in the Healthcare Authority Section.
Our team of 44 attorneys and 28 professional staff works at the heart of Washington's social safety net. We provide legal support for five state agencies, including the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA), to provide benefits, protection, and care to some of our state's most vulnerable and disenfranchised residents.
Our cases range from large federal court class action cases to individual administrative appeals. Our recent cases include challenges to state employee health benefits programs and a challenge to the adequacy of the state's mental health services.
We also handle a wide range of legal matters, including:
- Seeking protections for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse or neglect;
- Defending lawsuits brought by legal advocacy groups organizations on behalf of Medicaid recipients and individuals with disabilities;
- Complex civil rights challenges by residents of the Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators;
- Civil and felony commitment hearings and trials;
- Contract disputes with medical providers and managed care organizations; and
- Appeals related to eligibility for medical services.
Our division is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive workplace. We prioritize employee growth through a culture that recognizes hard work and provides active support for career advancement. Regular social events help us connect and strengthen our collaborative team dynamic - join us!
Duties:
The Health Care Authority section of the SHO Division advises and represents the programs administered by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA), including Medicaid, Public Employee Benefits, School Employee Benefits, and community mental health and recovery programs. The section also provides legal support to Washington's Health Benefit Exchange. The section represents both the HCA and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in litigation, in which they partner as co-defendants with regard to programs involving both agencies. An attorney interested in this position should possess excellent analytical and writing skills, and a desire to have a practice involving both client advice and litigation.
Issues that commonly arise in representing the Medicaid program include client eligibility, covered benefits, recovery of state funds from responsible third parties, audits of Medicaid providers (physicians, pharmacists, durable medical equipment providers, dentists, hospitals, etc.), privacy, contract disputes with Medicaid providers, and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid litigation commonly involves disputes regarding payment rates for and contractual issues with Medicaid-contracted health care providers. Issues that commonly arise in representing the Public Employee Benefits and School Employee Benefits programs include member eligibility, covered benefits, complex contract procurement, public disclosure, privacy, and open public meetings. Community mental health and recovery program advice and litigation often involve situations where individuals are subject to the involuntary treatment act or need access to mental health or substance use disorder services. Attorneys in the Health Care Authority section appear in state and federal courts litigating different types of lawsuits including class actions and administrative litigation. In addition to the primary assignment, other work may be available representing HCA or DSHS, depending on interest and client priorities.
Typical daily work for this position may include administrative litigation regarding client benefits, working on a multi-attorney litigation team to defend agency action, and conducting research to provide options-based legal advice to clients.
Qualifications:
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 AAG 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 $83,856 and $157,080. 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.
Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:
- A letter of interest;
- Resume;
- Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) with date law degree was conferred; and
- 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 Division Chief Natalie King at Natalie.King@atg.wa.gov or 360.586.6485.
