Assistant Attorney General - Social & Health Services 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 

The SHS Division consists of 36 attorneys and 35 support staff. The division provides legal representation to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in King County. The primary client agency for this position is the Washington State DCYF, which files dependency and permanency cases arising from allegations of child abuse and neglect by the child's parent, guardian or custodian. The division also handles litigation related to licensed facilities, including foster homes, childcare facilities and adult family homes; cases involving the protection of vulnerable adults; and appeals of both juvenile and non-juvenile cases.

Are you looking for the opportunity to get into the courtroom right away? Not many legal jobs provide the chance to argue in the courtroom within days of starting. If you want to learn trial skills, tackle novel legal concepts, and interact regularly with clients, all while helping Washington’s most vulnerable population, then you are applying to the right place! Our cases and our work are always interesting.

The primary assignment for this position is juvenile litigation. The work can be demanding and fast paced, but is highly rewarding.  Each attorney is expected to handle their own caseload with guidance and mentoring from their Team Leader.  Attorneys can rely upon the support and assistance of professional staff as well as colleagues.  

This position includes the following litigation opportunities:

• Handling all stages of a dependency or termination case from reviewing and filing the petition through mediation, settlement, and/or trial:
• Motions practice in dependency review status cases; 
• Case-specific client advice;
• Civil litigation discovery; 
• Frequent court appearances, and
• Consistent opportunities to First Chair trials within months of starting in the Division.

A typical week may include any of these tasks, as well as attorney-of-the-day coverage on juvenile court calendars. 

The position is located in downtown Seattle, WA and many employees work a hybrid schedule with both in-office and telecommute days each week. Court appearances are in downtown Seattle, the Central Area of Seattle, and Kent.

The work of the division is of critical importance, and division members rely on and support each other. We are always interested in candidates from different cultures and life experiences that bring value to our office. Division staff, all of whom are talented, dedicated, compassionate and highly collegial, serve an essential role in the protection of the state's most vulnerable people.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, qualified applicants should have the following:

• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills; 
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment; and
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills and ability to deal with people of diverse backgrounds with respect and professionalism.
  

To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; and be licensed to practice law in Washington state. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission by motion will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. The AGO greatly encourages, celebrates and values diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfill its mission of providing excellent, independent and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people.

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. This position is located in King County and is thus 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 and preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• Writing sample.

If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, please contact Division Chief Zachary Brown at zachary.brown@atg.wa.gov or (206)-587-5097.  

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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 services 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.