Assistant Attorney General, Wing Luke Civil Rights Division (Spanish-speaking attorney) - Washington Attorney General’s Office
Agency Name: Washington Attorney General's Office
Position / Job Title : Assistant Attorney General, Spanish-Speaking Attorney - Wing Luke Civil Rights Division, Seattle
Location: Seattle
Category : Attorney
Job Description: The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office seeks a Spanish-speaking attorney with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public service to join the Division’s affirmative civil rights team.
Duties
This position will undertake affirmative investigation and litigation to enforce 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 Muslim 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 protected characteristics including: race, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (Download PDF reader), veteran or military status, disability, or use of a service animal by a person with a disability. We take on unconstitutional police practices and challenge discrimination by nationwide companies like Motel 6, Greyhound, Facebook, and O’Reilly Auto Parts. We also work closely with the Solicitor General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division, and other AGO divisions and state agencies to enforce Washington laws in state and federal courts. For example, we recently partnered to lead a multi-state lawsuit to protect reproductive choice by removing excessively burdensome regulations for a medication abortion drug; and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we enforced Governor Inslee’s emergency 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.
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 or media settings on matters that may be sensitive, high-profile, and that carry elevated media interest.
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The SPANISH-SPEAKING ATTORNEY position primarily 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;
-Conducting factual and legal analysis to determine whether a matter merits formal enforcement proceedings; and
-Litigating cases as part of a litigation team.
For cases that proceed to litigation, the position requires full-scope litigation, from the preparation and filing of the initial complaint through post-judgment briefing. This can include propounding and responding to written discovery, taking and defending depositions, briefing dispositive and non-dispositive motions, settlement negotiation, preparing pre-trial motions, trying cases, 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 enforce 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 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.
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The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division is located in downtown Seattle, WA and consists of sixteen attorneys, four investigators, and six professional staff members. Each member of our team is committed to the highest-quality work. We value collaboration, diversity, creativity, and collegiality.
This position require statewide travel, including overnight trips. Out-of-state travel may also be required.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, all of the following are required qualifications for this SPANISH-SPEAKING ATTORNEY position:
-Two or more years of civil litigation experience;
-The ability to fluently read, write, and speak in Spanish and English.
Other, preferred, qualifications include:
-Exceptional and positive interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated cultural competence and experience working with individuals from diverse cultural, language, educational, and geographic backgrounds;
-Experience with multiple phases of civil litigation, including written discovery, depositions, working with witnesses including experts, and presenting evidence in an administrative or courtroom setting;
-Commitment to race equity, social justice, community lawyering, or structural reforms to empower vulnerable populations;
-Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and the ability to consistently produce high-quality work;
-Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully handle competing, time-sensitive assignments;
-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; and
-Familiarity with advising an administrative agency or other organizational client.
To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one 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:
-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 Managing Assistant Attorney General Patricio Marquez at patricio.marquez@atg.wa.gov or (206) 442-4495.
The deadline for receipt of the application and supporting material is October 22, 2023.
Application Deadline: October 22, 2023