Description:
A Government Entity has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General in the Social and Health Services (SHS) Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/social-health-services-seattle) in downtown Seattle, WA.
The SHS Division consists of 36 attorneys and 35 support staff. The division provides legal representation to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in King County. The primary client agency for this position is the Washington State DCYF, which files dependency and permanency cases arising from allegations of child abuse and neglect by the child's parent, guardian or custodian. The division also handles litigation related to licensed facilities, including foster homes, childcare facilities and adult family homes; cases involving the protection of vulnerable adults; and appeals of both juvenile and non-juvenile cases.
Duties:
The primary responsibility for this position is to serve as the SHS/Seattle Division Appellate Advisor. This includes representing DCYF in juvenile litigation appeals, drafting briefs, conducting legal research, appearing for oral arguments, reviewing and editing colleagues' briefs and providing guidance to colleagues in juvenile litigation trials and appeals. The division regularly handles appeals concerning dependency, Title 13 Guardianship, Termination of Parental Rights, Shelter Care hearings, findings made at review hearings and issues concerning the Federal and Washington State Indian Child Welfare Acts. The duties of this position also include coordinating with the Solicitor General and with appellate advisors Statewide to review recent appellate decisions, identify emerging issues and address appellate trends. The division appellate advisor will also work with the AGO Training Committee to provide appellate practice education and training to ensure consistent high quality appellate practice. This position coordinates assignment of appellate cases within the division and provides feedback and support to colleagues as needed, as well as handling a significant portion of division juvenile litigation appeals.
In addition, the duties of this position may include coverage of dependency and permanency hearings in Superior Court, requiring familiarity and knowledge of applicable rules, statutes and procedures; handling Superior Court appeals of administrative decisions on behalf of DSHS, review of draft dependency petitions, and case-related advice to client agency social workers.
The position is located in downtown Seattle, WA and many employees work a hybrid schedule with both in-office and telecommute days each week. Court appearances are in downtown Seattle, the Central Area of Seattle, and Kent.
The work of the division is of critical importance, and division members rely on and support each other. We are always interested in candidates from different cultures and life experiences that bring value to our office. Division staff, all of whom are talented, dedicated, compassionate and highly collegial, serve an essential role in the protection of the state's most vulnerable people.
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, qualified applicants should have the following:
- Experience in appellate advocacy or experience as a staff attorney or clerk for an appellate court;
- Strong writing and oral advocacy skills
- Excellent legal research and organizational skills;
- Ability to manage deadlines; and
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills and ability to deal with people of diverse backgrounds with respect and professionalism.
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.
