Closing Date: 17th March, 2025
Description:
The Bob Keppel Criminal Justice Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/criminal-justice) of the Washington State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an experienced attorney to provide client advice and litigation services to its criminal justice client agencies, the Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. The selected candidate will be part of a three-attorney unit that provides legal support to these clients. This position will be in our offices located in either downtown Seattle or Tumwater.The Washington State Patrol is a general authority law enforcement agency budgeted for approximately 1,100 commissioned personnel. It is a diverse agency with a mission that extends beyond that of other law enforcement agencies. In addition to its patrol and enforcement responsibilities, the Patrol is the State's repository for criminal records, provides the State with crime and forensic laboratory services, is Washington's centralized point for firearms background checks, and also contains the State Fire Marshall's Office, among other responsibilities.
The Criminal Justice Training Commission is a state agency mandated to provide basic and advanced training to peace and corrections officers in the State of Washington. It also certifies Washington peace and corrections officers and has the authority to pursue corrective action or decertification when misconduct occurs.
Duties:
The selected candidate will primarily be responsible for providing legal advice and representation to the Washington State Patrol on various subjects to include public records, criminal procedure, criminal records, firearms, contracts, rulemaking, search and seizure, and other legal issues that arise within a state law enforcement agency. The selected candidate may also at times provide legal advice and representation to the Criminal Justice Training Commission, to include serving as the legal advisor to a five-member hearing panel that determines whether police and corrections officers should have their certifications revoked for misconduct. The attorney will be assigned specific areas of responsibility and client assignments according to the needs of the client agencies and the office, as well as the skills, experiences, interests, and professional development needs of attorneys. [NOTE: Separate divisions of the Attorney General's Office handles labor and personnel issues and torts litigation arising within the client agencies].
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, candidates must be highly motivated with a strong desire to independently provide sound options-based advice to our criminal justice clients and litigate cases. Successful candidates possess:
- At least three years' experience in litigation and/or client advice;
- Comfort in exercising independent judgment with dynamic legal issues;
- Ability to persuasively, concisely, and respectfully advance written and oral arguments;
- Ability to provide clear, concise, and sound options-based advice to high-level agency clients
- Ability to coordinate and manage client advice requests of a diverse and potentially complex nature.
- Strong research, writing, and oral presentation skills;
- Flexibility and time-management skills to manage a robust client advice practice and litigation caseload; and
- Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with colleagues and clients and contribute to a collegial, inclusive, and positive work environment.
Criminal litigation experience or a background in law enforcement is desirable, but not required. Candidates who have less than three years' experience with litigation and client advice, but who have a substantial background in law enforcement will also be considered.
To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one 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.
Note! The applicants selected will be required to submit to and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Criminal Records Division. The incumbent will submit to additional background checks as a condition of employment every five (5) years thereafter.
