Closing Date: 30th November, 2025
Description:
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.
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. (https://www.atg.wa.gov/publications-reports)
Do you want to be at the forefront of cutting-edge labor enforcement work that has a direct, measurable impact on the lives of Washington workers?
The Washington State Attorney General's Office is seeking an attorney with strategic litigation experience to create and lead a new unit that will advance the complex affirmative matters addressing unlawful wage and hour practices impacting vulnerable and low-wage workers across the state, including immigrant communities and people of color.
The newly formed Worker Rights Unit is focused on using strategic litigation to uphold Washington state's nation-leading worker protections and address wage theft. You and the small, dynamic team you build will focus on high-profile investigations and litigation in industries such as agriculture, the gig economy, construction, and domestic service. The team will have particular emphasis on cases involving serious or persistent violations of laws as well as violations impacting low- and moderate-income workers who would otherwise struggle to obtain legal recourse. While this position will preferably be located in Tumwater, a Seattle location may also be considered depending on circumstances such as the successful candidate's county of residence.
Duties:
The Worker Rights Unit Chief is responsible for the overall management of the Worker Rights Unit, including playing a key role in developing the vision and strategies for this team. After building the team, you will:
- Lead investigations and guide AAGs and investigators through all aspects of civil litigation; and coordinate nationwide investigations with other Attorney General offices.
- Develop and review legislative proposals related to Washington's worker protection laws, and review changes in federal rulemaking or policy that would impact Washington workers.
- Engage in public education and outreach with impacted communities, stakeholders, and advocates, interacting with and understanding people from diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures.
- Provide daily management, mentorship, and supervision of your team, including:
- Performance evaluations.
- Case assignments and workload issues.
- Manage personnel issues, ensuring compliance with AGO and CBA performance management and disciplinary processes.
Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the Worker Rights Unit Chief should be an outstanding leader and team player with strong oral and written communications skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate abilities and experience in the following areas:
- Six or more years of litigation experience.
- Experience investigating and building cases for litigation, including government enforcement of wage theft or consumer protection matters.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate and foster teamwork. This includes the cultivation of strong relationships with other labor standards enforcement agencies like the Washington Department of Labor and Industries and the Seattle Office of Labor Standards, as well as within the AGO and with worker and community advocates.
- Commitment to aggressively enforcing state and federal employment and labor laws.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and experience working with individuals from diverse cultural, language, educational, and geographic backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications include:
- Experience managing a team of attorneys and professional staff.
- Experience handling matters involving wage theft issues and/or knowledge of state and federal labor regulation.
- Past work in partnership with immigrant and low-wage worker communities and organizations that work directly with impacted communities.
- Spoken and/or written proficiency in one or more languages spoken by Washington's immigrant communities, such as Spanish or Russian.
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:
Benefit and Compensation Details
The Office appreciates the benefits of a healthy work-life balance as well as a respectful, inclusive, and diverse workplace. Successful candidates will join an Office where every person is committed to providing exceptional legal services and 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
Salary 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. The salary of an employee whose official duty station is Seattle would reflect 5% King County Assignment Pay per legislative action. 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. (https://www.atg.wa.gov/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 Lionel Greaves at lionel.greavesIV@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 volunt