Closing Date: 21st January, 2025

Description:

Department Information:
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

The Department of Law/Office of the Attorney General, Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is seeking an attorney with experience in civil litigation and employment and/or labor law for a position in our Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with various state agencies and institutions of higher education on unique employment, labor, and civil rights issues and to form lasting and rewarding client relationships in a position with frequent client interaction. The attorney will serve as a litigator and advisor focusing primarily on employment and labor work, as well as some civil rights work based on unit and client needs. We are looking for a person who excels at independently tackling new issues on a regular basis, and who is eager to engage as a part of a team.

Application will be reviewed, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Who We Are:
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the “People's Lawyer.” The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: “Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all.” Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together.

Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.

Description of Job:
What you will do:
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
  • Provide advice to state agencies and institutions of higher education on a variety of labor and employment matters, including developing and implementing policies, managing employee relations issues, complying with state and federal laws, and resolving labor and employment disputes prior to litigation. You may also provide training on labor and employment matters for state agencies and institutions of higher education.
  • Represent state agencies and institutions of higher education in employment matters before the State Personnel Board in all phases of administrative hearing and post-hearing litigation, and occasionally in state and federal court. These duties will include settlement negotiations, conducting discovery, preparing witnesses for hearing, motions practice, trying cases before an administrative law judge, filing and arguing appeals before the State Personnel Board, Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court, and occasionally trying cases before a judge or jury in state or federal court.
  • Represent state agencies and institutions of higher education in labor disputes before the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Labor Standards and Statistics and labor arbitrators, and occasionally in state or federal court.
  • Provide advice to the Colorado Civil Rights Division on employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination matters and prosecute employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination complaints from the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit.

Salary Note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). The salary range for an AAG I is $85,795-$95,437/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $99,318-$132,901/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights:
What we are looking for:
Qualified applicants must be admitted to the Colorado Bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

While we understand that no candidate is perfect, we are looking for individuals who have experience with litigation and providing legal advice, and who can check most of the following boxes:
  • Committed to and values diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service.
  • Strong litigation, analytical, research, oral, written, and negotiation skills.
  • Some knowledge of employment law, labor law, civil rights law, and administrative law.
  • Knowledge of the state personnel system is preferred but not required.
  • Public sector legal experience is preferred.
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to handle a number of cases and advice matters with minimal supervision.
  • Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.
  • Well-developed ability to work collaboratively.
  • Demonstrates maturity and judgment when dealing with high-level stakeholders and knows when to consult teammates and supervisors.
  • Excels at learning new areas of law and takes initiative to learn quickly and dive into subject matter.

The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Conditions of Employment:
  • Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
  • This position offers flexible work arrangements. Newer employees are encouraged to work in the office 2 or 3 days per week, however alternate in-person and remote work arrangements will be considered.
  • Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel (https://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/index.asp) website.

Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.