Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights & Constitutional Litigation (Corrections)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office is hiring attorneys to fill newly added positions representing the State and its employees in complex federal and state civil-rights matters involving the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, habeas corpus, and related appeals. Attorneys in this role manage their own cases, write substantive briefs, conduct discovery, argue motions, prepare matters for trial, and work closely with an experienced and collaborative team. Prior corrections or §1983 experience is helpful but not required. We welcome strong writers and litigators from private practice, government, judicial clerkships, and other backgrounds who want meaningful public-service work and substantial responsibility. In this role you will have the opportunity to litigate federal civil rights claims of all sorts, primarily brought against law enforcement personnel employed by the Parole Division and Colorado Department of Corrections. This often includes claims brought pursuant to the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as claims brought pursuant to statutes such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Our team also handles various other matters such as habeas corpus petitions, small claims cases, and judicial review of agency rulings. Attorneys may also provide general legal advice to client agencies on a broad variety of topics including policy issues and subpoena or open records requests. Experience in these areas of law is very helpful but not required – we have robust resources to support attorneys who are new to these areas of law. What is important to us is experience in, and enthusiasm for, legal writing and litigation work. So, if you enjoy all aspects of litigation, including motions practice, discovery, trial work and appellate work, this is the role for you! We are looking for candidates who are great writers and thinkers and who can manage their own federal and state cases. The unit is a collegial team in which attorneys regularly exchange drafts, discuss difficult legal issues, develop case strategy together, and assist one another during major motions, trials, and appeals. Attorneys retain meaningful autonomy while receiving accessible supervision, mentoring, and peer support. This work requires attorneys who can vigorously represent state clients while exercising independent judgment, identifying risk, and providing candid advice that helps agencies carry out their responsibilities lawfully. This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Corrections Unit.

Requirements

Qualified applicants must be admitted to the Colorado Bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application.
Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment.
Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills, demonstrated through litigation experience that includes briefing in federal or state court, judicial clerkship work, appellate work, or comparable experience.
Ability to be self-directed and manage one’s own caseload from pleading stage through trial and appeal.
Good problem-solving skills and the confidence to know when to ask questions.
This position requires at least one writing sample.

Nice To Haves

Prior corrections or §1983 experience is helpful but not required.
Interest and/or experience with 42 U.S.C. § 1983 cases, C.R.C.P. 106 cases, Constitutional law, administrative law, and federal and state appeals is preferred.
Broad range of litigation experience.
Three or more years of legal experience is preferred for candidates seeking appointment at the AAG II level but is not required for consideration.

Responsibilities

Litigate federal civil rights claims of all sorts, primarily brought against law enforcement personnel employed by the Parole Division and Colorado Department of Corrections.
Handle claims brought pursuant to the First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as claims brought pursuant to statutes such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
Handle various other matters such as habeas corpus petitions, small claims cases, and judicial review of agency rulings.
Provide general legal advice to client agencies on a broad variety of topics including policy issues and subpoena or open records requests.
Manage own cases, write substantive briefs, conduct discovery, argue motions, and prepare matters for trial.
Vigorously represent state clients while exercising independent judgment, identifying risk, and providing candid advice that helps agencies carry out their responsibilities lawfully.

Benefits

Competitive medical and dental health plans
Employer-paid life insurance
Paid holidays
Retirement plans with Colorado PERA
Vacation and sick leave earned each month
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.