Assistant Attorney General - Licensing & Administrative Law Division, Olympia/Seattle

All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office (AGO) 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 and view THIS VIDEO.  

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 - Assistant Attorney General (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 Licensing and Administrative Law Division seeks an Assistant Attorney General in Seattle or Olympia, to perform mid- to senior-level legal services, with an emphasis on Indian law issues. This includes advising on sovereign-to-sovereign state-tribal agreements and assisting with negotiating and resolving disputes arising under those agreements, advising on tribal treaty rights and other Indian Law issues as applied to the Division’s clients, and litigating and advising on taxation and enforcement authority issues as to tribes, tribal businesses, tribal members, and tribal member businesses.

This position will be temporary, but we expect to be able to make the position permanent on or before June 30, 2025.

The attorney selected for this position will provide complex litigation and advice support for the Department of Licensing, Employment Security Department, and the Liquor and Cannabis Board, which have consistent needs for guidance on tribal issues and for representation in administrative and original litigation.

While closely collaborating with other attorneys and staff, duties performed include:

• Developing and maintaining healthy client relationships;
• Managing all aspects of a varied litigation practice;
• Aiding client agencies in negotiations with tribes on liquor, marijuana, fuel tax, and/or vehicle licensing issues; 
• Providing complex formal written legal analysis and risk assessment advice;
• Defending tax assessments in administrative and state superior and appellate courts; and
• Defending claims against agencies and officials in state and federal courts. 

Please note: Although this is a temporary position and continued employment after June 2025 cannot be guaranteed at this time, the division expects to be able to make the position permanent prior to June 30, 2025. Regardless, experience has shown that the high-level skills, experiences, and opportunities obtained from serving as an AAG in a temporary role result in individuals who are highly competitive and qualified when applying for future AGO opportunities at or towards the end of these temporary appointments.

The LAL Division is a collegial, collaborative environment providing opportunities for a great variety of legal experiences and individual and professional growth. LAL is comprised of 22 attorneys and 15 professional staff that are located in the Olympia and Seattle sections. 

LAL’s work touches the lives of all Washingtonians and focuses on promoting public safety, protecting the economy, and preserving public integrity and trust. The division provides legal advice and litigation services to three large clients, the Department of Licensing, Employment Security Department (ESD), and Liquor and Cannabis Board. LAL prosecutes administrative actions against individuals and businesses under the state's licensing and regulatory laws governing drivers and approximately 45 professions, businesses, and occupations, and handles issues relating to unemployment and paid family and medical leave benefits and taxes, long-term support services, and recreational marijuana and liquor. LAL played a leading role in Washington’s response to the COVID-19 emergency, particularly as ESD provided economic support to millions of Washingtonians. LAL also represents multiple boards and commissions, including: the Boards of Accountancy, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship, Consumer Directed Employer Rate Setting, Industrial Insurance Appeals, Pollution Control Hearings, Shorelines Hearings, and Growth Management Hearings; the Lottery, Judicial Conduct, and Interpreter and Language Access Commissions; and, the Public Records Exemption Accountability (Sunshine) Committee. LAL provides a range of litigation and advice services on dynamic, interesting, and challenging issues. Litigation cases include those before the Office of Administrative Hearings, professional licensing boards, Washington superior and appellate courts, and federal district and appellate courts. This position will work with any and all of LAL’s clients on Indian law issues. LAL attorneys’ assignments typically grow in breadth and complexity over time. This position may later include working with any of LAL’s clients on advice or litigation issues, not limited to Indian law. 

LAL strives to make professional growth a priority and to allow employees to develop their practice in areas of law that interest them, while still meeting divisional and clients’ business needs. AAGs are encouraged to take on more responsibility and subject matters as their careers progress, including training, leadership, and professional development. In addition, LAL supports employees maintaining a healthy work-life balance and offers flexible schedules and telework opportunities.

LAL prides itself as an energetic, collegial, and high-performing organization of professionals who strive to provide the most ethical and high-quality legal services to our clients. We conduct ourselves with integrity, professionalism, civility, and transparency, and we promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that values, respects, and supports our employees. We enjoy our work, our colleagues, and our clients.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the following competencies are required:

• Skilled practitioner: Demonstrated excellence in litigation and in consistently providing high-quality and high-level options-based risk assessment and client advice on complex matters;
• Communicator: Exceptional oral and written communication skills, understanding of one’s audience, and strong interpersonal skills;
• Problem-solver: Skill in identifying and resolving problems, including excellent research and analytical skills and ability to exercise appropriate judgment—paying attention to detail while aware of big picture perspective and the need for inclusion of others affected by decisions;
• Professional: Demonstrated ability to maintain productive working relationships across the division and section and with clients and interested people and entities, to meet administrative responsibilities, and to work collaboratively with team members and promote a positive work environment that recognizes and respects all employees; and,
• Self-starter: Ability to multitask and prioritize workload, stay organized, work independently, meet tight deadlines, and provide timely client services.

While not required, the following competencies are highly desired:

• A minimum of five years of legal experience;
• Demonstrated experience with Indian law issues;
• Experience with the Administrative Procedure Act; and
• Experience with defending original actions in state and/or federal court.

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. Positions located in King County are 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); and
• Writing sample.

To learn more about this opportunity, you are encouraged to contact Division Chief Eric Peterson at EricD.Peterson@atg.wa.gov or (206) 389-2799. 

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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 race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation 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.