Assistant Attorney General (Marijuana, Liquor & Bankruptcy)

The Revenue and Regulatory Law Section (R&R”) is comprised of ten separate units that provide litigation and general counsel support to a variety of state regulatory agencies, boards, and commissions, including the Department of Revenue (DOR), the Department of Regulatory Agencies and the Department of Agriculture. R&R is the largest section in the Department of Law, comprised of 120 team members who tackle a diverse array of legal challenges for nearly 100 state agencies, boards, commissions, and divisions. The Marijuana, Liquor and Tobacco, Natural Medicine and Firearm Dealer Divisions are in the DOR, which regulates these businesses. The work of the R&R Section is critical to ensuring these licensees continue to be highly regulated and to protect public health and safety. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Marijuana, Liquor & Bankruptcy (MLB) Unit offers the opportunity to practice in exciting areas of law representing multiple Divisions of the Colorado Department of Revenue including: Marijuana Enforcement, Natural Medicine, Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement, and Firearms Dealer. The MLB Unit is a dynamic and collaborative group as statutes and regulations governing regulated marijuana, natural medicine, liquor, tobacco retailers and firearm dealers change frequently. 

As an attorney in the MLB Unit, you will be responsible for handling administrative licensing actions from inception through administrative hearing, exceptions (administrative appeal) and judicial review, for the Marijuana, Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement, Natural Medicine and Firearm Dealer Divisions. Cases involve the informal exchanges of information, preparing motions, negotiation and settlement, and meeting required deadlines often in an expedited manner as cases are generally set for an administrative hearing within 30 to 90 days from case initiation. These actions include license denial and prosecution of regulatory non-compliance related to the operation of a marijuana business, liquor business, tobacco retailer, natural medicine business or firearm dealer. Administrative cases range in complexity from relatively simple to quite complex. For example, the Marijuana and Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Divisions may seek enforcement action based on underage sales of liquor, tobacco or marijuana, substantial security and public health violations, violations of mandatory marijuana testing requirements, inversion or diversion of marijuana by licensed businesses, or sophisticated corporate and financial schemes intended to allow unauthorized entities and individuals to control licensed businesses. The attorney may also represent the Divisions in state and federal courts. 

In addition, you will have the opportunity to assist in the development of two new regulatory programs in Colorado for natural medicine and firearm dealer programs. 

The attorney will be part of a team that represents the state in the matters described above but will be expected to take primary responsibility for the attorney’s own cases, with increasing responsibilities over time. 

The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.  

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualified applicants must be licensed to practice law in Colorado or demonstrate eligibility to waive into the Colorado Bar as soon as possible. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment.  

Ideal candidates will have most of the following skills: 

• A litigation background;
• Demonstrated ability to handle negotiations, litigation, and trials independently and effectively;
• Proficiency maintaining strong relationships and communicating with clients;
• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Ability to provide advice on complex matters;
• Enthusiasm about working with a collaborative team; and
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest and to diversity, equity and inclusion.  

THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE "HOW TO APPLY" SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

• Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.
• The final candidate for employment must successfully pass a thorough criminal background investigation and a tax check.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.   

WHY WORK FOR US

We Embrace Flexibility
We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members – which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.

We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more!  If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!  
 
We Have Strong Core Values
Our core values drive our actions. At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.
 
We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys
We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.
 
We Offer Excellent Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
• Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
• Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
• Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.