Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights Division
Agency Name: Washington Attorney General's Office
Position / Job Title : Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights Division
Location: Seattle
Category : Attorney
Job Description: The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office seeks attorneys with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public service to join the Division’s affirmative civil rights team. This recruitment will be used to fill TWO attorney positions: a DEVELOPING ATTORNEY position and an EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY position.
Duties
These new positions will undertake affirmative investigation and litigation to protect the constitutional and civil rights of Washingtonians. The Civil Rights Division has led some of the most visible and cutting-edge enforcement matters the office undertakes, including Washington's challenges to the federal government's Travel Ban, Transgender Military Service Ban, and repeal of DACA. We have successfully challenged labor practices at the Northwest Detention Center and in industries ranging from aerospace to agriculture.
The team protects the rights of Washingtonians to live and participate in our communities without discrimination on the bases of race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (Download PDF reader), veteran status, or disability. We take on unconstitutional police practices and challenge discrimination by nationwide companies like Motel 6, Greyhound, and Facebook. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have played an active role in enforcing Governor Inslee’s moratorium on evictions, ensuring compliance by housing developers, affordable housing providers, and a national sorority.
Interested candidates are encouraged to review the Division’s full list of cases and amicus briefs.
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The DEVELOPING ATTORNEY position is primarily one that handles investigations and litigation. Duties include:
-Identifying and developing possible enforcement matters under the statutes the Division enforces;
-Locating and interviewing witnesses;
-Obtaining and reviewing relevant documentary evidence; and
-Conducting factual and legal analysis to determine whether a matter merits formal enforcement proceedings.
For cases that proceed to litigation, the position requires the preparation and filing of civil pleadings from the initial filing through post-judgment proceedings. This can include propounding and responding to written discovery, taking and defending depositions, briefing dispositive and non-dispositive motions, negotiation, preparing pre-trial motions, conducting trial, and participating in post-trial proceedings including any appeals. The Division works with witnesses from all walks of life, including expert witnesses.
This position will also take a lead role in enforcing the Healthy Starts Act's provisions requiring reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees, and the Fair Chance Act's prohibition on job advertisements that unfairly exclude applicants because of criminal history.
In addition to AGO-initiated enforcement work, this position will also represent the Washington State Human Rights Commission in enforcement matters under the Washington Law Against Discrimination. These matters are prosecuted in the Office of Administrative Hearings or superior court. Like our enforcement work at the direction of the Attorney General, representing the Human Rights Commission involves litigating cases from start to finish, including preparing and filing the complaint, conducting the full scope of civil discovery, presenting evidence and argument at trial, and prosecuting any appeals.
The EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY position is one that handles enforcement actions and is assigned a docket that is fast-paced, innovative, and complex. Duties include:
-Identifying and developing enforcement matters; and
-Conducting all phases of investigation and litigation, including prosecuting appeals.
The Division practices in federal courts nationwide and superior courts statewide and collaborates significantly with other divisions in the Attorney General's Office, enforcement units in other states, partner law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders.
In addition to AGO-initiated enforcement work, this position may also represent the Washington State Human Rights Commission in enforcement matters under the Washington Law Against Discrimination. These matters are prosecuted in the Office of Administrative Hearings or superior court. Like our enforcement work at the direction of the Attorney General, representing the Human Rights Commission involves litigating cases from start to finish.
Beyond investigation and litigation duties, both positions contribute to the Division’s amicus work on matters affecting the public interest. The Civil Rights Division also engages in public outreach and education on civil rights topics and serves as a resource on civil rights issues within state government. Our attorneys advise the Attorney General, Legislative Director, and the Policy Director on issues impacting civil rights and social justice, including proposed legislation. Civil Rights Division attorneys are routinely asked to represent the Attorney General's Office in public settings on matters that may be sensitive, high-profile, and that carry elevated media interest.
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The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division is located in downtown Seattle and consists of fourteen attorneys, two investigators, and four professional staff members. Each member of our team is committed to the highest-quality work. We value collaboration, diversity, creativity, and collegiality.
These positions require statewide travel, including overnight trips. Out-of-state travel may also be required.
Qualifications
For the DEVELOPING ATTORNEY position, two or more years of civil litigation experience as a practicing attorney are required. Other, preferred, qualifications include:
-Civil litigation experience, including experience with written discovery and depositions, working with witnesses including experts, and presenting evidence in an administrative or courtroom setting;
-Experience advising an administrative agency or other organizational client;
-Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and the ability consistently to produce high-quality work;
-Strong organizational skills and the ability successfully to handle competing, time-sensitive assignments;
-Exceptional and positive interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated cultural competence and experience working with individuals from diverse cultural, language, educational, and geographic backgrounds;
-A high level of motivation with the ability to work independently, be a team player, and devote whatever time is necessary to complete our work; and
-Demonstrated discretion, excellent judgment, and the ability to work well as a member of a larger litigation team that is working under pressure.
For the EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY position, all the following are the required qualifications:
-Five or more years of civil litigation experience, including experience with written discovery and depositions, working with witnesses including experts, the full range of non-dispositive and dispositive motions, and presenting evidence in an administrative or courtroom setting;
-Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and the ability consistently to produce high-quality work;
-Excellent organizational skills and the ability successfully to handle competing, time-sensitive assignments;
-Exceptional and positive interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated cultural competence and experience working with individuals from diverse cultural, language, educational, and geographic backgrounds;
-A high level of motivation with the ability to work independently, be a team player, and devote whatever time is necessary to complete the work; and
-Demonstrated discretion, excellent judgment, and the ability to work well as a member of a litigation team that is working under pressure.
For both positions, the ability to read, write, and/or speak a language in addition to English is a plus.
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. 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 protect the rights of its people. We encourage interested applicants to review the Diversity section of our website to learn more about our office's commitment to diversity.
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Per AGO Policy, as a condition of employment, existing employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office must be fully vaccinated. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. If you are selected to serve within the AGO as an employee or volunteer, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination before you are able to begin work. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet the requirement due to a medical or religious necessity. Currently all staff, whose duties permit, are teleworking although the AGO plans to re-open its offices for visitors and staff beginning April 4, 2022.
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 start at $69,396. Ultimately, AAG salaries are set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. The position's location is King County and thus the person hired would be eligible for 5% King County Assignment pay per legislative action. 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, as well as a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, is 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:
-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 Colleen Melody at Colleen.Melody@atg.wa.gov or (206) 464-5342. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2022.
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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 Kalea Muigai at 360-586-7698. 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.