Assistant Attorney General - Labor & Industries Division, Seattle Apply
Full job description
Description
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 $74,520 and $139,572. 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 Washington State Attorney General's Office's Labor & Industries Division, Seattle handles litigation and advice for the DLI in a broad array of areas, including: Industrial Insurance, Worker Health and Safety, Employer Services, Employment Standards, Wage Theft, Building Trades and Crime Victim's Compensation. The workload of the division includes client advice and high-volume, fast-paced litigation before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and the Office of Administrative Hearings, Washington Superior Courts, and Courts of Appeal and Federal Courts.
Duties
The LNI Division is a dynamic, diverse, inclusive, and collegial division. All of the LNI Division's 100+ staff are respected for their individual contributions and attributes, and all share the same commitment to serving the public by providing excellent legal services in support of their client's mission to: protect workers, preserve the industrial insurance accident fund, and help injured workers heal and return to work.
The Seattle LNI Division strives to make professional growth a priority and allow staff to develop their practice in areas of law that interest them, while still meeting the business needs of the section. AAGs are encouraged to take on more responsibility and subject matters as their careers progress, including training, leadership, and professional development opportunities.
The successful applicant can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over their daily work while also working with teams of attorneys who complement and cover for each other. As an experienced attorney, the successful applicant will be able to independently handle all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motions practices, and resolving cases through trial or negotiated settlements.
Typical responsibilities of the LNI Division's litigation attorneys include:
- Effectively handling pre-trial evidentiary and procedural motions and discovery;
- Working with expert witnesses;
- Preparing lay and expert witnesses for testimony;
- Conducting legal research and writing briefs and pleadings;
- Conducting direct and cross-examination in hearings and discovery and perpetuation depositions;
- Managing competing deadlines in multiple, fast-paced complex cases across several tribunals;
- Interacting with the client agency, outside parties, and stakeholders;
- Negotiating settlements;
- Presenting arguments orally and in writing; and
- Engaging in administrative and superior court practice, including jury and bench trials.
Qualifications
- At least 3 years experience in civil litigation, including: managing discovery, including electronic discovery; drafting motions and briefs; bringing and defending pre-trial evidentiary and procedural motions; negotiating with other parties; taking and defending depositions, including 30(b)(6) depositions; preparing witnesses for trial; working with expert witnesses; and presenting oral arguments before various courts and tribunals;
- An exceptional ability to work in a high capacity litigation environment in multiple forums with a variety of competing deadlines;
- An interest in handling complex civil litigation in worker health and safety cases, wage and hour cases, workers compensation, premium assessment audit cases, or other complex cases on behalf the Department of Labor and Industries before administrative tribunals, superior courts, and in appellate courts. Prior experience in these types of cases is not required, but you must be interested in handling such cases;
- Demonstrated experience in electronic case handling including remote trials or hearings, electronic files, and other electronic case management tools;
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- The ability to work within deadlines and or with limited time;
- The ability to lead or manage a case team as needed;
- The ability to travel to litigation events in and out of state;
- The ability to contribute positively to a team and interact successfully with interested groups and members of the public;
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills; and
- A commitment to working in an inclusive, creative, and collaborative work environment.
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.
Supplemental Information
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 $74,520 and $139,572. 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, 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 wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Section Chief Diana Cartwright at Diana.Cartwright@atg.wa.gov.
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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.
