Washington State Attorney General’s Office - Managing Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights Division
Job link here.
All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office serve a crucial role in the protection of the state, its people and resources, thereby providing an incomparable degree of job satisfaction. The AGO is composed of diverse, collegial and supremely talented legal professionals who are resolute in their commitment to public service and share the common goal of advancing the public interest. For more information about the AGO, we encourage you to review the Office's Annual Report which can be found HERE (Download PDF reader) and view THIS VIDEO.
All staff in the AGO are guided by the following core values:
We will deliver high quality legal services and remember that we serve the people of Washington.
We will conduct ourselves with integrity, professionalism, civility and transparency.
We will promote a collegial, inclusive and diverse workplace that values, respects and supports our employees.
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
A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environment
Health and wellness program
Training and development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide
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The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has a leadership and management opportunity for an attorney with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public service. The Civil Rights Division is hiring a Managing Assistant Attorney General to supervise case teams, manage attorneys, and develop and litigate cases to further civil rights and social justice for all Washingtonians.
Duties
This new position results from the Civil Rights Division’s growth and increased litigation docket. 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 challenge 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, immigration status, 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 crisis, 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 MANAGING ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL is a leadership position with the Civil Rights Division and reports to the Division Chief. The Managing AAG will lead and manage teams, lawyers, and staff working on fast-paced, high-profile affirmative enforcement matters. The Managing AAG supervises the day-to-day work of other attorneys and staff, including reviewing work product, mentoring, and conducting performance reviews. The Managing AAG will also take on significant division-wide management and leadership responsibilities, including assisting with the development of Division enforcement priorities and case strategy. The Managing AAG should expect regularly to advise senior AGO leadership on sensitive, urgent, and high-profile legal issues that carry elevated media interest.
In addition to management duties, the Managing AAG will personally handle a robust caseload, including developing, filing, and litigating cases involving civil rights and the protection of vulnerable communities. The Division's cases are litigated in state trial and appellate courts across the state, and federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. The Managing AAG's casework will include all phases of investigation and litigation, including fact development, case filing, discovery, motions practice, trial, and appeal. The Managing AAG is expected not only to meet—but to model—the Division’s expectation that attorneys work with a sense of urgency and initiative to advance their assigned matters toward resolution.
Another core part of the Managing AAG’s work will be public outreach, stakeholder engagement, intra-agency and intra-governmental coordination, and community education on matters affecting the public interest. Like all Division lawyers and staff, the Managing AAG will contribute to the Division’s work to promote vibrant governmental, stakeholder, and community partnerships.
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The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division is located in Seattle and consists of fourteen attorneys, two investigators, and five professional staff members. Each member of our team is committed to the highest-quality work. We value collaboration, diversity, creativity, and collegiality.
This position requires 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, this Managing AAG position requires the following qualifications:
Six or more years of civil litigation experience in courts that follow the rules of evidence and civil procedure;
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 team that is often working under pressure.
Other, preferred, qualifications include:
Experience advising government leaders or government clients; and
The ability to read, write, and/or speak a language in addition to English.
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.
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WORKING CONDITION
Per AGO Policy, as a condition of employment, existing employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office (AGO) must be fully vaccinated no later than October 18, 2021. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID vaccine regime. 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, though AGO plans to re-open its offices for visitors and staff beginning November 29, 2021.
Supplemental Information
This position, classified as a Managing AAG one, is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. Managing AAG salaries start at $72,864. Ultimately, Managing AAG salaries are set in accordance with the AWAAG CBA. If the official duty station of the person hired is King County, that salary will reflect an additional 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 and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Division Chief Colleen Melody at Colleen.Melody@atg.wa.gov or (206) 464-5342. The deadline to apply is November 7, 2021.
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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.