Assistant Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division, Seattle or Spokane

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: 

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits and retirement plans
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
• Transparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA

• The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA 

• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• 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 is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide 

The Consumer Protection Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office is seeking to hire attorneys to join its team as an Assistant Attorney General (AAG). The CP Division aims to protect Washington consumers from unfair and deceptive acts through its enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), RCW 19.86, and other consumer protection laws.

The position will be located in downtown Seattle or Spokane, WA, depending on the needs and interest of the person hired to fill this role. The AGO provides some flexibility with respect to schedules and telecommuting, consistent with the needs of the Office.

As a CP attorney, you will get the opportunity to serve some of Washington’s most vulnerable communities. While the CP Division’s work is for the benefit of all Washington consumers, much of the Division’s enforcement actions are focused on unlawful business practices that target people of limited means, veterans, the elderly, and immigrants. In this position, you would be at the forefront of these cases, and your work will have a direct, measurable impact on the lives of vulnerable Washingtonians. 

The Division’s management strives to find engaging, interesting, and fulfilling work that is well suited to the experience level and interests of the individual AAGs. The Division does a good job of balancing the staffing needs of the various investigations and cases with the interests of AAGs in particular subjects and industries. There are AAGs in the Division who choose to focus on specific areas, like healthcare, veterans’ issues, or privacy matters, while others prefer a variety of practice areas. The Division’s management also makes professional growth a priority. AAGs are encouraged to take on more responsibility as their careers progress, and training, leadership, and professional development are all opportunities this position will provide. 

If you are offered this position, you can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over your daily work while also working with teams of attorneys who complement and cover for each other. As an experienced AAG you will lead your own investigations and all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motions practices, and resolving cases through trial or negotiated settlements. More senior AAGs are expected to provide mentorship and leadership to newer attorneys and staff. You will be expected to manage your caseload to ensure matters are moving expeditiously. You may also be required to advise the Attorney General’s leadership and policy staff on consumer protection issues and provide public education and outreach. 

Attorneys can expect to participate in high-profile consumer protection litigation such as State v. Navient (student lending), State v. Providence (charity care violations), State v. Google (unlawful privacy practices), State v. Chuck’s Towing (failure to comply with Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act), State v. CA Certificate Services (government imposter), State v. Federal Way Discount Guns (unlawful sale of large capacity magazines), State v. Puppyland (predatory lending), State v. CLA Estate Services, Inc., et al. (financial exploitation of seniors), and State v. LuLaRoe (misrepresentations regarding profitability).

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, creative, have a strong work ethic, and enjoy working within a team-oriented community. A commitment to public service and to becoming a great consumer protection attorney is a must! 

The CP Division also seeks applicants that have:

• Three or more years of litigation experience, including handling discovery and dispositive motions under the civil rules;
• A law degree from an A.B.A. accredited law school and excellent academic credentials;
• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders;
• The ability to multi-task, manage a large caseload, and adapt to changing priorities and demanding deadlines; 
• Must be an active member, in good standing, in the State Bar of Washington, and 
• Ability to travel on occasion if necessary. 

Preferred experience: 

• Experience handling cases involving consumer protection issues; and
• Complex litigation experience.

While consumer protection experience would be a strength, the AGO is particularly interested in applications from litigators generally. Attorneys with experience in personal injury or insurance defense litigation, commercial litigation, probate litigation, employment litigation, or other litigation fields are encouraged to apply. 

Attorneys who lack the above-listed experience, but who have other experience that they believe would be relevant to the Division’s work are also encouraged to apply. The CP Division may waive the need for significant litigation experience for attorneys who have significant experience in the fields of healthcare, privacy, technology, finance, non-profit work or philanthropy, trust and estates, and/or experience serving traditionally marginalized communities.

This  Assistant Attorney General position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. IF the official duty station of the person selected is King County, salary would be eligible for 5% King County Assignment Pay. 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, preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• A writing sample (no more than 10 pages).

For more information about the positions or if you have questions about whether your experience would translate well to work in the Consumer Protection Division, please contact Seann Colgan at Seann.Colgan@atg.wa.gov or Eric Newman at Eric.Newman@atg.wa.gov. 
 

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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 opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status or the presence of any sensory, metal, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.  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.