Assistant Attorney General - Public Counsel Unit, 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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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 Public Counsel Unit of the Washington Attorney General’s Office, located in downtown Seattle, is seeking to hire an experienced attorney to join its team. The Public Counsel advocates on behalf of millions of Washington customers of state-regulated utility and transportation companies in front of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC).

As a Public Counsel attorney, you will join a collegial and collaborative unit within the AGO’s Consumer Protection Division and serve as an advocate for residential and small business customers of regulated public utility companies, including electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and water companies, as well as customers of regulated transportation companies. Your work in cases that set rates, establish and enforce service quality standards, review merger and acquisition petitions, and establish clean energy standards and your participation in policy-focused practice in rulemakings before the WUTC and the Legislature will have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of millions of Washingtonians. 

If you are offered this position, you can expect to have responsibility and control over your daily work in both litigation and policy practices. You will have the opportunity to manage all aspects of litigation including working with Public Counsel regulatory analysts and outside experts to develop case strategy, developing and managing discovery, managing outside experts, and effectively advocating Public Counsel’s positions. You will also develop policy positions on proposed agency rules and policy dockets, engage with interested parties, and assist the Attorney General’s Office with policy positions and advocacy before the Legislature.   

Public Counsel consists of three attorney, four regulatory analyst, and three professional positions. We are a team of high-performing legal professionals who strive to provide high-quality consumer advocacy and to ensure regulated companies charge fair and reasonable rates and provide safe and reliable service. You can expect to develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and commission staff. 

Public Counsel is based in downtown Seattle, WA. The AGO provides some flexibility with respect to schedules and telecommuting, consistent with the needs of the Office.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, creative, have a strong work ethic, and enjoy working within a team-oriented community. A commitment to public service is a must.

The Public Counsel Unit also seeks applications who have: 

• Three or more years of litigation experience in administrative or judicial proceedings.
• Superior writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent analytical skills. 
• The demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and creatively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• The ability to travel on occasion, if necessary.

Preferred experience: 

• Five or more years of litigation experience.
• Experience with electric, natural gas, water, or similar services. 
• Economics, accounting, of finance experience. 
• Experience in clean energy strategies
• Public policy experience. 

While experience with the utilities and transportation industry would be a strength, the AGO is particularly interested in applications from litigators generally. Attorneys who lack the above-listed experience, but who have other experience that they believe would be relevant to Public Counsel’s work are also encouraged to apply. Public counsel may waive the need for significant litigation experience for those attorneys with relevant subject matter experience.

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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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 and preferably as PDFs: 

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• 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 Alex Kory at alexandra.kory@atg.wa.gov or 206-516-2997.

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The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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.