Assistant Attorney General - Education Division, Seattle

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 $76,752 and $149,508.  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 

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The Education Division of the WA State Attorney General’s Office has an exciting opportunity, in its Seattle office, for an experienced attorney interested in serving as lead counsel to one or more institutions of higher education and other State education agencies (K-12). 

The Education Division fosters a collegial, team environment, supports many clients and covers a broad array of subject matters. Collaborative staffing of legal issues is an important part of the division culture. Typical duties for this position include frequent contact with agency representatives to understand legal issues and needs, timely research and synthesis of relevant law, providing options-based legal advice, providing training, reviewing contracts, negotiating on the clients’ behalf, appearing in administrative proceedings and courts to defend agency decisions and actions, drafting briefs and motions, and working with discovery.  Duties also include travel to client agencies for meetings of governing boards, and travel to courthouses, and administrative forums throughout the state; occasionally requiring multi-day/overnight stays.  

This position also represents the client agencies in all non-tort litigation, which may include administrative hearings, labor arbitrations, and original proceedings in state and federal courts. Experience and interest in litigation is desirable.

The selected candidate will have a client portfolio consisting of Community/Technical College(s) and smaller education clients depending on Division and client need, with consideration of the candidate’s experience and interests.  

This assignment is challenging, varied, with an opportunity to work on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to labor and employment, student activities and conduct, social media, First Amendment, due process, administrative law, anti-discrimination, land use and public works, contracts and procurement/business transactions, data security, intellectual property, institutional governance, public records, and open public meetings. The subject matter is broad and interesting. The attorney is expected to be able to work collaboratively and coordinate with attorneys for other education-related agencies and keep abreast of education issues both statewide and nationally.

The Education Division provides legal services to a broad array of agency clients including the State’s education governance and oversight agencies and 38 institutions of higher education (excluding the University of Washington and Washington State University). The Olympia section of the division serves as the headquarters for education legal work performed around the State. The clients its seven attorneys advise and represent include: the Superintendent of Public Instruction, The Evergreen State College, Central Washington University, seven community or technical colleges, and eleven other education-related agencies. The position involves a mixture of client advice, transactional work, and litigation. The clients are mission-driven and sophisticated. They highly value responsiveness and clear communication.

In addition to meeting the requirements to apply and serve as an Assistant Attorney General, we are seeking candidates who have practiced for a minimum of 5 years, who are interested in a diverse and intellectually stimulating practice and are comfortable juggling multiple client assignments. 

The strongest candidates will also possess the following:

• Experience in one or more of the practice areas described above and/or serving education clients or other public sector entities;
• A strong interest in education law;
• Superior interpersonal skills, including the ability to nurture positive working relationships with sophisticated clients and colleagues;
• Ability to engage in clear, high-quality oral and written communication;
• Diplomacy and outstanding judgment;
• Independent thinking and practical problem-solving skills, and the ability to quickly learn new areas of law;
• High caliber research and analytical skills;
• Experience interviewing and preparing witnesses for testimony, responding to discovery, and conducting hearings or oral arguments before arbitrators, administrative tribunals, or the state or federal courts;
• Ability to successfully handle competing time-sensitive matters and multiple priorities under pressure;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with coworkers and clients;
• Highest degree of ethics and professionalism; and
• Respect and collegiality toward professional staff and attorneys, and the ability to foster teamwork and contribute to our highly-valued positive work environment.

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 $76,752 and $149,508. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA.  Note that the position's location is King County and thus the person hired would be eligible for 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
• Writing sample.

For information about the position, please contact Division Chief Aileen Miller at (360) 753-2582 / aileen.miller@atg.wa.gov or Section Chief John Clark at (206) 389-2051 / john.clark@atg.wa.gov or Section Chief Sharon English (360) 586-0279 / Sharon.english@atg.wa.gov. The deadline for receipt of all application material is, November 18, 2024.

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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, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or 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.