Assistant Attorney General, Social & Health Services Division (Olympia) - Washington Attorney General’s Office
Agency Name: Washington Attorney General's Office
Position / Job Title : Assistant Attorney General - Social & Health Services Division, Healthcare Section, Olympia
Location: Olympia
Category : Attorney
Job Description: Do you have experience or an interest in health care law?
The Washington State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an attorney with experience or interest in the quickly evolving and critically important area of health care law. This AAG position is part of the Social and Health Services Division in Olympia (SHO), in the Health Care Authority section.
SHO is a large division that provides advice and representation to the Health Care Authority, the Department of Social and Health Services, the Health Benefit Exchange, the Department of Veteran Affairs and Services for the Blind.
Duties
The Health Care Authority section of the SHO Division advises and represents the programs administered by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA), including the Medicaid, Public Employee Benefits, School Employee Benefits, and community mental health and recovery programs. The section also provides legal support to Washington's Health Benefit Exchange. The section represents both the HCA and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in litigation, in which they partner as co-defendants with regard to programs involving both agencies. An attorney interested in this position should possess excellent analytical and writing skills, and a desire to have a practice involving both client advice and litigation.
Issues that commonly arise in representing the Medicaid program include client eligibility, covered benefits, recovery of state funds from responsible third parties, audits of Medicaid providers (physicians, pharmacists, durable medical equipment providers, dentists, hospitals, etc.), privacy, contract disputes with Medicaid providers, and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid litigation commonly involves disputes regarding payment rates for and contractual issues with Medicaid-contracted health care providers. Issues that commonly arise in representing the Public Employee Benefits and School Employee Benefits programs include member eligibility, covered benefits, complex contract procurement, public disclosure, privacy, and open public meetings. Community mental health and recovery program advice and litigation often involves situations where individuals are subject to the involuntary treatment act, or need access to mental health or substance use disorder services. Attorneys in the Health Care Authority section appear in state and federal courts litigating different types of lawsuits including class actions and administrative litigation. In addition to the primary assignment, other work may be available representing HCA or DSHS, depending on interest and client priorities.
Typical daily work for this position may include administrative litigation regarding client benefits, working on a multi-attorney litigation team to defend agency action, and conducting research to provide options-based legal advice to clients.
The Section consists of 9 Assistant Attorneys General who are supported by 4 paralegals. The members of the section are good-humored, collaborative, and hard working. Every member is invested in the success of the other team members. Accordingly, this division and section, like the rest of the AGO, enjoys a collegial, inclusive and respectful working environment in which every person is demonstratively committed to providing exceptional legal services, and each person is given the tools to excel professionally and the necessary support to reach a healthy work-life balance.
This is a full time position located in Tumwater, WA.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General. Well-qualified applicants will offer:
-The ability to quickly master the applicable laws and court rules;
-Strong research, writing, and oral presentation skills;
-Flexibility and time-management skill to handle both client advice and litigation assignments;
-Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with clients and opposing counsel; and
-The ability to respectfully engage all team members, from attorneys to professional staff.
Experience in health care law is not 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 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. 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;
-A list of three professional references including current supervisor;
-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 Senior Counsel Angela Coats McCarthy at Angela.CoatsMcCarthy@atg.wa.gov or 360-586-6484. The deadline for applying is October 9, 2023.
Application Deadline: October 09, 2023