Managing Assistant Attorney General - Torts Division's Early Resolution Program, Tumwater

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 - MAAG salaries are set between $80,592 and $156,996.  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 WA State Attorney General's Office's Torts Division has an immediate need to fill a Managing Assistant Attorney General (MAAG) position on the Early Resolution Program (ERP) Team located in Tumwater.  Alternative worksites may be possible at either the Tacoma, downtown Seattle, or Spokane offices of the AGO, depending on the needs and interests of the person hired to fill this role. 

This Managing Assistant Attorney General position supervises four Assistant Attorneys General in the Early Resolutions program of the Torts Division and leads a team of 7 professional staff. The goal of the Early Resolution Program is to achieve savings by early negotiation of lawsuits and claims arising from incidents for which the state is likely to be held liable. The program attorneys not only attempt to limit the amount of tax dollars spent on tort payouts, but also provide advice, training, and other risk management assistance to state agencies and institutions. This position as lead of the program supports the AGO and the Torts Division by providing excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people. 

The position provides efficient and effective legal representation to state agencies and institutions and fosters an environment in the Torts Division that supports the mission, vision, values, and goals of the AGO. 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. Additionally, this role is expected to actively mentor and direct attorneys of varying levels of expertise in the alternative dispute process and will work with agency clients directly to resolve claims and litigation brought against the state agencies.

This position will be required to successfully mediate and resolve matters before municipal, state, and federal courts. The MAAG supervises and evaluates the attorneys in the Torts Early Resolution Program and is a member of the Torts Division Management team. As a member of the Management team, this position assists in developing and communicating division-wide goals and strategies for enhancing client representation and staff professional development. This attorney represents clients in early resolution efforts and provides risk management advice to clients. The person in this position must be able to succeed in a high volume practice, be adaptable and flexible and possess strong lawyering, communication, organizational, and case management skills. 

In addition to meeting the requirements 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.

This Managing 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. MAAG salaries are set between $80,592 and $156,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. The salary of an employee whose official duty station is Seattle would reflect an additional 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. 

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 (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Torts Litigation Support Section Chief Nicholas Ulrich at Nicholas.Ulrich@atg.wa.gov or 509-456-6390. 

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, mental, 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 orwww.washingtonrelay.com.