Closing Date: 19th October, 2025

Description:

The Seattle Section of the Torts Division has an immediate opening for a trial attorney eager to practice in state and federal courts throughout Washington. The Torts Division represents State agencies and State employees who do the hard work of serving the citizens of Washington when they are sued for damages. Attorneys in the Torts Division, with support from professional staff and investigators, handle cases from inception through resolution, involving diverse clients and theories of liability, with continuous support, training, and development. If you are interested in growing and developing as an oral and written advocate, working on challenging issues and cases, and belonging to a dedicated and supportive team, then the Torts Division is the place for you!

The Torts Division's Seattle Office is located in the Bank of America Fifth Avenue Plaza building in downtown Seattle. Additionally, the Torts Division has offices in Tacoma, Olympia (Tumwater), and Spokane. The Torts Division also provides opportunities for telework in a hybrid work environment.

More Information About the Attorney General's Office
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.

Benefit and Compensation Details
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:

Competitive salary set within the given salary range ($82,212 - $153,996. Salaries are 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-2025-27) schedule set forth below.
Note that the position's location is King County and thus the person hired would be eligible for 5% King County Assignment pay.
Longevity pay of 5% premium on top of base wages after 5 years with the Attorney General's Office.
A competitive benefit package that includes:

Affordable medical plan options, including vision benefits
Dental benefits covered 100%
Retirement plan (employee/employer contribution)
Deferred Compensation Plan

11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday
8 hours sick leave accrual per month
9.33 hours to start, then up to 16.67 hours of annual leave accrual per month (based on years of state service)
Flex schedules and telecommuting options
The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per the AWAAG CBA
Qualifying Employer for Public Loan Forgiveness Program
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 provides CLE credits and is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide.

Duties:
The Torts Division defends tort claims and lawsuits against all state agencies, officers, and employees arising from acts or omissions while performing, or in good faith purporting to perform, official duties. Torts attorneys also provide legal and risk management advice to the Office of Financial Management and state agencies on tort matters. The caseload for a Torts attorney typically includes a variety of cases involving different agencies and diverse theories of liability, including, for example, alleged failures to protect a child from abuse or neglect by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, alleged failures to supervise individuals released from incarceration by the Department of Corrections, alleged negligent road design or maintenance by the Department of Transportation, and false arrest or excessive use of force by the Washington State Patrol. Torts attorneys handle many other types of cases, as well, including premises liability, medical negligence, employment discrimination and retaliation, motor vehicle accidents, and maritime injuries on Washington State ferries. With hundreds of departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, and ever-developing theories of tort liability, there is always something new for the attorneys in the Torts Division!

Attorneys in the Torts Division are responsible for maintaining and applying a comprehensive knowledge of procedural and substantive law, for working productively with client agencies, for developing and executing legal strategy, for engaging in all aspects of affirmative and defensive discovery, for timely and effective communication of case developments, for leading their trial team of professional staff and investigators, for conducting jury and bench trial, and for handling appeals. The work of the Torts Division is demanding, stimulating, and rewarding, and attorneys who enjoy working on leading-edge legal issues involving State liability thrive here. While their work is challenging, fast-paced, and diverse, Torts attorneys appreciate the balance afforded by a collegial team environment, dedicated professional support staff, and other litigation resources provided by the Torts Division and the AGO.

If you have strong analytical, advocacy, and problem-solving skills, enjoy working with other professionals, have a good sense of humor, and believe that communication and respect are critical to success in any endeavor, then you have the attributes that the Torts Divisions values in its attorneys.

Qualifications:

In adition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, qualified applicants will offer the following:
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills;
Good problem-solving skills;
Excellent legal judgment; and
The interest and ability to work well in a collaborative team environment with litigation support and investigative staff, client agencies and risk managers, the Office of Risk Management, and other attorneys in the Torts Division and the AGO.

Ideal candidates will also offer experience in the following areas:

Five or more years of progressive legal experience, including a strong foundation in civil litigation;
Taking and defending depositions;
Handling an active, civil motions practice;
Working with expert witnesses;
Engaging in alternative dispute resolution;
Trying cases in state and/or federal court;
Briefing and arguing cases on appeal;
Interacting with high-level client representatives; and
Working with people with diverse backgrounds, experience, and communication styles.

Torts and civil litigation experience, while advantageous, is not essential.

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 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.