Closing Date: 22nd May, 2024
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://agportal-s3bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploadedfiles/2021%20Annual%20Report%20%26%20Divisions%20Report.pdf) (Download PDF reader) and view THIS VIDEO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rre5kM4XhLw&feature=youtu.be).
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:
If you are interested in being part of a supportive team that has a culture of learning and collaboration, then the Education Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/education) of the WA State Attorney General's Office has the perfect opportunity for you! We seek an attorney to serve as an Assistant Attorney General representing a combination of higher education institutions and K-12 clients.
The work of the Education Division is wide ranging and varied and there are ample opportunities for learning, challenges, and fun. Our greatest asset is the people on the Education team and the knowledge and support that we share freely with one another.
The Education Division serves more than 50 education-related clients. Higher education clients include Eastern Washington University (EWU), Central Washington University (CWU), Western Washington University (WWU), The Evergreen State College, 34 community and technical colleges and state higher education boards, the Washington Student Achievement Council, and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. In the K-12 system, clients include the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. The Division has 11 attorneys, 4 professional staff, and supervises the education work for 14 attorneys in the Regional Services and Spokane Divisions.
The Education Division is a small, cohesive unit with a supportive culture focused on fostering respect and belonging. The Education Division has two sections - Olympia and Seattle. This position is located in the Olympia section of the Education Division. Some travel is required for client meetings and other responsibilities.
Olympia, WA sits on Budd Inlet at the south end of the Puget Sound. It is a very livable city with ready access to outdoor recreation opportunities and great schools. The Olympia section of the Education Division is located in the Highways-Licenses Building in Olympia, on the east capitol campus with excellent access to downtown Olympia and the beautiful State Capitol grounds.
Duties:
The Education Division provides legal services to a broad array of agency clients including the State's education governance and oversight agencies and 38 institutions of higher education (excluding the University of Washington and Washington State University). The Olympia section of the Division serves as the headquarters for education legal work performed around the State. The clients its seven attorneys advise and represent include: the Superintendent of Public Instruction, The Evergreen State College, Central Washington University, seven community or technical colleges, and eleven other education-related agencies. The position involves a mixture of client advice, transactional work, and litigation. The clients are mission-driven and sophisticated. They highly value responsiveness and clear communication.
This assignment is challenging with an opportunity to work on a wide range of topics, such as: labor and employment, student activities and conduct, social media, First Amendment, due process, administrative law, anti-discrimination, land use and public works, contracts and procurement/business transactions, data security, intellectual property, institutional governance, public records, and open public meetings. The subject matter is broad and interesting. The attorney is expected to be able to work collaboratively and coordinate with attorneys for other education-related agencies and keep abreast of education issues both statewide and nationally.
This position also represents the client agencies in all non-tort litigation, which may include administrative hearings, labor arbitrations, and original proceedings in state and federal courts. Experience and interest in litigation is desirable.
The selected candidate will have a client portfolio consisting of Community/Technical College(s) and smaller education clients depending on Division and client need, with consideration of the candidate's experience and interests.
The Education Division fosters a collegial, team environment, supports many clients and covers a broad array of subject matters. Collaborative staffing of legal issues is an important part of the division culture. Typical duties for this position include, but are not limited to:
Duties also include travel to client agencies for meetings of governing boards, and travel to courthouses, and administrative forums throughout the state; occasionally requiring multi-day/overnight stays.
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to apply and serve as an Assistant Attorney General, we are seeking candidates who have practiced for a minimum of 5 years, who are interested in a diverse and intellectually stimulating practice and are comfortable juggling multiple client assignments.
The strongest candidates will also possess the following:
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 A
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 $74,520 and $139,572. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA (https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/labor-relations/collective-bargaining-agreements/washington-federation-state-employees-association-washington-assistant-attorneys-general-wfse-awaag-2023-25)
- 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/state-human-resources/labor-relations/collective-bargaining-agreements/washington-federation-state-employees-association-washington-assistant-attorneys-general-wfse-awaag-2023-25)
- 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
If you are interested in being part of a supportive team that has a culture of learning and collaboration, then the Education Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/education) of the WA State Attorney General's Office has the perfect opportunity for you! We seek an attorney to serve as an Assistant Attorney General representing a combination of higher education institutions and K-12 clients.
The work of the Education Division is wide ranging and varied and there are ample opportunities for learning, challenges, and fun. Our greatest asset is the people on the Education team and the knowledge and support that we share freely with one another.
The Education Division serves more than 50 education-related clients. Higher education clients include Eastern Washington University (EWU), Central Washington University (CWU), Western Washington University (WWU), The Evergreen State College, 34 community and technical colleges and state higher education boards, the Washington Student Achievement Council, and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. In the K-12 system, clients include the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. The Division has 11 attorneys, 4 professional staff, and supervises the education work for 14 attorneys in the Regional Services and Spokane Divisions.
The Education Division is a small, cohesive unit with a supportive culture focused on fostering respect and belonging. The Education Division has two sections - Olympia and Seattle. This position is located in the Olympia section of the Education Division. Some travel is required for client meetings and other responsibilities.
Olympia, WA sits on Budd Inlet at the south end of the Puget Sound. It is a very livable city with ready access to outdoor recreation opportunities and great schools. The Olympia section of the Education Division is located in the Highways-Licenses Building in Olympia, on the east capitol campus with excellent access to downtown Olympia and the beautiful State Capitol grounds.
Duties:
The Education Division provides legal services to a broad array of agency clients including the State's education governance and oversight agencies and 38 institutions of higher education (excluding the University of Washington and Washington State University). The Olympia section of the Division serves as the headquarters for education legal work performed around the State. The clients its seven attorneys advise and represent include: the Superintendent of Public Instruction, The Evergreen State College, Central Washington University, seven community or technical colleges, and eleven other education-related agencies. The position involves a mixture of client advice, transactional work, and litigation. The clients are mission-driven and sophisticated. They highly value responsiveness and clear communication.
This assignment is challenging with an opportunity to work on a wide range of topics, such as: labor and employment, student activities and conduct, social media, First Amendment, due process, administrative law, anti-discrimination, land use and public works, contracts and procurement/business transactions, data security, intellectual property, institutional governance, public records, and open public meetings. The subject matter is broad and interesting. The attorney is expected to be able to work collaboratively and coordinate with attorneys for other education-related agencies and keep abreast of education issues both statewide and nationally.
This position also represents the client agencies in all non-tort litigation, which may include administrative hearings, labor arbitrations, and original proceedings in state and federal courts. Experience and interest in litigation is desirable.
The selected candidate will have a client portfolio consisting of Community/Technical College(s) and smaller education clients depending on Division and client need, with consideration of the candidate's experience and interests.
The Education Division fosters a collegial, team environment, supports many clients and covers a broad array of subject matters. Collaborative staffing of legal issues is an important part of the division culture. Typical duties for this position include, but are not limited to:
- Frequent contact with agency representatives to understand legal issues and needs;
- Timely research and synthesis of relevant law, providing options-based legal advice;
- Providing training, reviewing contracts, negotiating on the clients' behalf;
- Appearing in administrative proceedings and courts to defend agency decisions and actions;
- Drafting briefs and motions; and
- Working with discovery.
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to apply and serve as an Assistant Attorney General, we are seeking candidates who have practiced for a minimum of 5 years, who are interested in a diverse and intellectually stimulating practice and are comfortable juggling multiple client assignments.
The strongest candidates will also possess the following:
- Experience in one or more of the practice areas described above and/or serving education clients or other public sector entities.
- A strong interest in education law.
- Superior interpersonal skills, including the ability to nurture positive working relationships with sophisticated clients and colleagues.
- Ability to engage in clear, high-quality oral and written communication.
- Diplomacy and outstanding judgment.
- Independent thinking and practical problem-solving skills, and the ability to quickly learn new areas of law.
- High caliber research and analytical skills.
- Experience interviewing and preparing witnesses for testimony, responding to discovery, and conducting hearings or oral arguments before arbitrators, administrative tribunals, or the state or federal courts.
- Ability to successfully handle competing time-sensitive matters and multiple priorities under pressure.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with coworkers and clients.
- Highest degree of ethics and professionalism.
- Respect and collegiality toward professional staff and attorneys, and the ability to foster teamwork and contribute to our highly-valued positive work environment.
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 A
