Special Counsel - Antitrust Division, Washington Attorney General’s Office
Position / Job Title : Special Counsel - Antitrust Division
Location: Seattle
Category : Attorney
Job Description: The Antitrust Division has an exciting opportunity for an experienced litigation and trial attorney interested in bringing antitrust enforcement actions to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace. The Division is hiring a Special Counsel for Litigation who will be an integral part of the Division’s high-stakes litigation seeking monetary recovery on behalf of Washington’s consumers and state agencies.
Duties The Special Counsel for Litigation is a staff Assistant Attorney General position that will report directly to the Division Chief. The Special Counsel will work with teams of attorneys and professional staff litigating contentious cases in which Washington is the sole plaintiff, and may serve as lead trial counsel in these matters. In addition, the Special Counsel will work closely with staff on investigations that are likely to result in litigation. The Special Counsel will also personally handle a caseload as well, including all phases of investigation and litigation. In addition to partnering with Division staff to vigorously litigate matters, the Special Counsel for litigation will have primary responsibility for litigation and trial training for staff, as well as developing trial training resources for the Division generally.
* * * * * * * * * * * * The Antitrust Division enforces state and federal antitrust laws. We investigate and litigate matters seeking injunctive and monetary relief for consumers and the State of Washington. The Antitrust Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office is among the largest and most active state antitrust enforcers in the country. We litigate complex, high stakes cases in a wide array of industries that affect the daily lives of all Washingtonians, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and food products and in recent years we have recovered over $100 million for consumers and the State in price-fixing lawsuits against CRT manufacturers, and LCD manufacturers. In addition, the Division has been a pioneer in the intersection of the antitrust laws and labor, and has brought cutting-edge enforcement matters to eliminate the use of no-poach agreements nationwide, as well as actions to prevent overbroad non-compete agreements in the food service and healthcare industries.
The Antitrust Division is a member of the National Association of Attorneys General Antitrust Task Force and has an active multistate investigation and litigation practice. In addition, we frequently conduct joint investigations with the Federal Trade Commissioner and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice on significant competition matters affecting the people of the State of Washington. In addition to its enforcement activities, the Division regularly engages in competition advocacy and provides advice and training to state agencies and external stakeholders on competition-related matters. It also administers a notification program that requires hospitals, hospital systems, and providers to notify the Attorney General's Office 60 days in advance of any merger, acquisition, or contracting affiliation, to enable the Division to review the transaction for potential anti-competitive effects. Interested candidates are encouraged to review our cases and amicus briefs.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, candidates MUST offer the following: -12 or more years of complex commercial litigation experience in state and federal courts of general jurisdiction, including experience with all phases of discovery, motions practice, trial and appeal; -Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and the ability consistently to produce high-quality work; -Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle competing, time-sensitive assignments; -Exceptional and positive interpersonal and communication skills; -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 team that is often working under pressure. Prior antitrust experience, while a plus, is not required.
To qualify and 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. 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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * Per AGO Policy, employees and volunteers of the AGO must be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Effective March 14, 2022, the AGO announced pursuant to its policy, that employees and volunteers must also receive a booster shot as a condition of employment. Employees or volunteers who are not eligible to receive the booster before their start date, due to required waiting times after receiving their initial vaccine(s), must provide confirmation of the vaccine type and date received so the AGO can calculate the date by which they must receive the booster. If you are selected to serve within the AGO as an employee or volunteer, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination and booster (if already received) 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.
Supplemental Information
This Assistant Attorney General position is representedby the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $69,396 and $129,984. 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. Important Note: Redact from any document social security numbers, and do not include documents that are password protected. If you have questions about this position or wish to learn more about it before applying, please contact Division Chief Jonathan Mark at Jonathan.Mark@atg.wa.gov or (206) 389-3806. This position is open until filled, applications, however, will be reviewed and interviews scheduled throughout the duration of the recruitment thus you are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.