Closing Date: 23rd September, 2025
Description:
The Torts Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/torts) of the WA State Attorney General's Office seeks an experienced mission-driven legal leader to fill a Section Chief/Managing Assistant Attorney General 2 (MAAG 2) position in its Tumwater location. This position serves a critical role in the Torts Division and is ideal for a seasoned attorney ready to lead, mentor, and drive meaningful outcomes in service of the State. This position handles complex litigation that shapes policy and sets legal precedents in our state and is committed to the professional development and mentorship of a dynamic team within the AGO.Why join Torts?
- Mission-Driven Work: Make a tangible impact on lives across the state.
- Leadership: Help shape the next generation of public service attorneys and professional staff.
- Community: Join a mission-driven Division built on trust, teamwork, and service.
Duties:
The Tumwater Torts Section presently has five teams consisting of a total of 20 attorneys (including the Section Chief), 37 paralegals, seven investigators, and seven legal office assistants. The Section Chief leads one team (the Employment Team) containing seven attorneys and 10 paralegals and one legal assistant. Additionally, this role supervises one team leader (MAAG 1) of another team located in Tumwater. The Section Chief provides input on the work performed by the professional staff to their supervisors and the administrative office manager. The Section Chief is a member of the Torts Division management team. The Section Chief assists the Torts Division Chief and other members of the Torts management team in developing and communicating division-wide goals and strategies for enhancing client representation and staff professional development. The role serves as a client liaison for cases handled by the Tumwater section of Torts. The holder of this position must be adaptable and flexible and must possess strong lawyering, communication, and management skills.
In addition to the administrative and supervisory duties of this position, this role will maintain a diverse and complex litigation case load. All attorneys in Torts must have the ability to litigate contested matters, interview witnesses, conduct all forms of discovery, including depositions, retain and prepare experts, develop effective trial strategy, employ alternative dispute resolution tools, and conduct trials. Attorneys must be familiar with both state and federal rules of civil procedure. Torts attorneys also typically handle appeals from their cases. The Section Chief is expected to actively mentor and direct attorneys of varying levels of expertise as they carry out these functions on a daily basis.
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirement to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the successful candidate will have:
- An expressed interest in the practice of public sector law;
- Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
- Judgment and discretion in handling sensitive issues;
- Extensive mediation experience; and
- Litigation experience, in particular as insurance defense counsel.
Employees in the Torts Division work in a collaborative environment; thus, the ability to work as a member of the team and to affirmatively contribute to the Division's respectful and inclusive workplace is essential and required.
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.
