Closing Date: 2nd November, 2025
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.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:
The Washington State Attorney General's Office is seeking an attorney who is passionate about open government and transparency with significant public records/open government, management and legal experience to fill the position of Chief Transparency Counsel for the Public Records and Open Government Unit.
The new Chief Transparency Counsel will advance the AGO's efforts to improve and modernize AGO public records and retention processes, provide coordinated and consistent advice on open government issues, and continuously look for new ways to improve government transparency and responsiveness. Leading the Public Records and Open Government (PROG) Unit, this position manages two attorneys including the Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) who serve as Public Records Counsel and who lead training and consultation for local government and officials, as well as the Public Records and Constituent Services (PRCS) Director and 9 professional staff. Programs within the Unit include the AGO's public records processes, records retention, constituent correspondence, garnishment process for state agencies, acceptance of service, and other related administrative functions. The Chief Transparency Counsel also provides legal advice to and litigates cases on behalf of the AGO.
Duties:
The Chief Transparency Counsel is responsible for the overall management of the Public Records and Open Government Unit, ensuring the delivery of excellent legal services, both advice and litigation, to the AGO, as well as ensuring the successful operation of all AGO public records and open government processes and initiatives. In coordination with the PRCS Director, the Unit Chief will ensure efficient program operations for all PRCS programs. In coordination with the Public Records Counsel, the Unit Chief will provide training to AGO staff as well as training and support to lawyers providing Public Records Advice across the AGO to all state agencies. In coordination with the AAG leading the Local Government Consultation Program, the Unit Chief will support training and consultation work on open government issues for local entities. Given the Unit Chief's expertise in Public Records and Open Government issues the successful candidate will serve as advisor, commenting on and helping to develop other AGO public records/open government initiatives.
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the Chief Transparency Counsel should be an outstanding leader and team player with strong oral and written communication skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate abilities and experience in the following areas:
Preferred Qualifications include:
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.
Supplemental Information:
Salary range for this position is $184,850 annually. Unit Chief salaries are based on experience, qualifications and are commensurate with comparable positions in the AGO. This position is exempt from representation by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General/Washington Federation of State Employees AFSCME Council28, AFL-CIO. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical/dental insurance plans, retirement, life and basic long-term disability insurance. In addition, there are non-financial benefits that include working in a collaborative and supportive work environment where professional development and work-life balance are highly valued. The health, safety and professional satisfaction of all AGO staff and volunteers is critical to fulfilling the mission of the AGO to provide exceptional legal services. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies.
Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:
If you have questions about this position or wish to learn more about it before applying, you are welcome to contact Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Meyer at (360) 586-6399 or via email at Jennifer.Meyer@atg.wa.gov.
The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.
The AGO is an equal oppor
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:
- Transparent salary - $184,850
- 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
- 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
The new Chief Transparency Counsel will advance the AGO's efforts to improve and modernize AGO public records and retention processes, provide coordinated and consistent advice on open government issues, and continuously look for new ways to improve government transparency and responsiveness. Leading the Public Records and Open Government (PROG) Unit, this position manages two attorneys including the Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) who serve as Public Records Counsel and who lead training and consultation for local government and officials, as well as the Public Records and Constituent Services (PRCS) Director and 9 professional staff. Programs within the Unit include the AGO's public records processes, records retention, constituent correspondence, garnishment process for state agencies, acceptance of service, and other related administrative functions. The Chief Transparency Counsel also provides legal advice to and litigates cases on behalf of the AGO.
Duties:
The Chief Transparency Counsel is responsible for the overall management of the Public Records and Open Government Unit, ensuring the delivery of excellent legal services, both advice and litigation, to the AGO, as well as ensuring the successful operation of all AGO public records and open government processes and initiatives. In coordination with the PRCS Director, the Unit Chief will ensure efficient program operations for all PRCS programs. In coordination with the Public Records Counsel, the Unit Chief will provide training to AGO staff as well as training and support to lawyers providing Public Records Advice across the AGO to all state agencies. In coordination with the AAG leading the Local Government Consultation Program, the Unit Chief will support training and consultation work on open government issues for local entities. Given the Unit Chief's expertise in Public Records and Open Government issues the successful candidate will serve as advisor, commenting on and helping to develop other AGO public records/open government initiatives.
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the Chief Transparency Counsel should be an outstanding leader and team player with strong oral and written communication skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate abilities and experience in the following areas:
- Experience with the Washington Public Records Act, including litigating, advising and training on the Act is essential;
- Providing independent, sound legal advice on a wide variety of complex issues to knowledgeable high-level clients;
- Developing and carrying out systemic approaches to legal services in response to changing client needs, as well as organizational and budget issues;
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate and foster teamwork. This includes the cultivation of strong relationships with the client, others in the AGO, and external parties. It also includes the ability to create a working environment that is collaborative, diverse in perspective, inclusive, and innovative; and
- Leadership skills and competence in mentoring and supervising other employees. The ability to build respect and trust and provide timely recognition and constructive feedback are key.
Preferred Qualifications include:
- Knowledge about technology used to track and process public records requests;
- Experience with project management and process improvement;
- Initiative in solving or overcoming obstacles that impede effective delivery of a service or the operation of a process; and
- Experience with local government consultation as it relates to the Washington Public Records Act.
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.
Supplemental Information:
Salary range for this position is $184,850 annually. Unit Chief salaries are based on experience, qualifications and are commensurate with comparable positions in the AGO. This position is exempt from representation by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General/Washington Federation of State Employees AFSCME Council28, AFL-CIO. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical/dental insurance plans, retirement, life and basic long-term disability insurance. In addition, there are non-financial benefits that include working in a collaborative and supportive work environment where professional development and work-life balance are highly valued. The health, safety and professional satisfaction of all AGO staff and volunteers is critical to fulfilling the mission of the AGO to provide exceptional legal services. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies.
Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:
- A letter of interest;
- Resume;
- Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) with date JD/LLM was conferred; and
- Writing sample (10 pages or less).
If you have questions about this position or wish to learn more about it before applying, you are welcome to contact Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Meyer at (360) 586-6399 or via email at Jennifer.Meyer@atg.wa.gov.
The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.
The AGO is an equal oppor
