Assistant Attorney General - Torts Division, Tumwater

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.    

Do you enjoy cases that challenge your ability to develop and execute compelling case themes? Does the idea of litigating cutting edge civil cases that test the bounds of tort law excite you? Is one of your career goals to become a trial attorney? Then come forward and apply to join the dedicated attorneys and professional staff in the Tumwater office of the Torts Division, the largest division in the Attorney General’s Office. The Torts Division represents all state agencies involved in tort lawsuits and claims. Attorneys in this division develop subject matter expertise in wide-ranging, diverse areas of law including employment law, civil rights, highway design, and complex child abuse matters. If you believe your calling is to master the courtroom, you value a supportive and flexible work culture, and are looking to make a meaningful impact, Tumwater office of the Torts Division is the place for you!

Why join Torts? 

Collaborative Team: You will work closely with a dedicated and experienced team of attorneys and legal professionals who are committed to providing high-quality legal services to government clients.

Supportive Infrastructure: Our Agency provides ample resources, including access to cutting-edge legal research tools, expert witnesses, and administrative support to ensure you can focus on litigation and legal strategy.

Professional Growth: As a member of a fast-paced, highly respected practice, you will have the opportunity to work on high-profile cases and expand your skills in a specialized area of civil litigation. Continuing legal education and mentorship opportunities are provided to support your career development

Why choose Olympia?

Olympia is the state capital and provides its residents and employees with outdoor adventures ranging from the waters of Puget Sound to the mountains of the Cascade and Olympic Ranges, as well as extensive theater, live music, farmer’s markets and craft vendors. Further, Olympia area residents enjoy a more affordable cost of living than some other areas in the Puget Sound region.

Make a tangible impact on lives across the state by joining a mission-driven Division built on trust, teamwork, and service!

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All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office 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.

Benefit and Compensation Details

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:

• Competitive salary set within the given salary range ($82,212 - $153,996. Salaries are set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA schedule set forth below.
• Longevity pay of 5% premium on top of base wages after 5 years with the Attorney General’s Office.
• A competitive benefit package that includes:
  • Affordable medical plan options, including vision benefits
  • Dental benefits covered 100%
  • Retirement plan (employee/employer contribution)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan
• 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday
• 8 hours sick leave accrual per month
• 9.33 hours to start, then up to 16.67 hours of annual leave accrual per month (based on years of state service)
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per the AWAAG CBA
• Qualifying Employer for Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• 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 provides CLE credits and is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide.

We seek motivated, hardworking, self-motivated attorneys who value working as a team defending state agencies and state employees that are devoted to serving the interests of all Washington citizens. As a key member of our team, we will train you in the nuances of tort law, help hone your motion practice, discovery and litigation skills, and prepare you to be a first-rate trial attorney. Our clients are state agencies, public officials and government employees. You will represent a diverse range of government sectors, including law enforcement, healthcare, education, and public infrastructure. Your work will directly impact the ability of state government to function effectively, and you will be at the forefront of protecting public institutions and employees from public risk. 

Some Key Responsibilities in this position are:

• Defend state agencies and their employees in tort actions, including personal injury, negligence, civil rights, and constitutional claims.
• Lead all phases of litigation, from pre-trial motions to discovery, depositions, and trial preparation.
• Represent clients in both state and federal courts, preparing persuasive legal arguments, motions, and briefs.
• Collaborate with expert witnesses, investigators, and other professionals to build strong defense strategies.
• Develop tailored legal strategies in consultation with government clients to ensure the best possible outcomes.
• Conduct in-depth legal research to support case strategy and client needs, keeping abreast of evolving case law, legislation, and public policy impacting the defense of state entities.
• Draft legal documents, including pleadings, motions, responses, settlement agreements, and court briefs.
• Engage in settlement negotiations and ADR processes when appropriate, balancing the client’s best interests with cost-effective resolutions.
• Advocate for favorable settlements while being prepared for trial when litigation is the best course of action.

In addition to meeting the qualifications 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.

Torts’ litigation experience, while advantageous, is not essential. What is essential, the successful applicant must have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn and develop new skills, and a desire to work as part of a larger team. Relevant subject matter experience may be helpful but is not required. 

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.

Applicants 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. The AAG salary for this position will be set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is negotiable and will be set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. 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. 

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• A writing sample (no more than 10 pages).

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Scott Barbara at Scott.Barbara@atg.wa.gov or Brian Baker at Brian.Baker@atg.wa.gov.

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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.   

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 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.