Assistant Attorney General - Corrections

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

42d • $88,197 - $136,558

About The Position

This position offers an exciting opportunity to handle a caseload which primarily involves complex civil rights litigation and associated constitutional claims, habeas petitions, civil appeals and advice matters for state agencies. This position is best suited for an attorney who is interested in the intersection of criminal justice and federal civil rights law, and who excels at independently researching and writing about unique legal issues while engaging collaboratively as a part of a team with other attorneys and staff. In this role, you will represent the Colorado Department of Corrections, and you will have the opportunity to litigate federal civil rights claims of all sorts. 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. We are also looking for people who enjoy being part of a fun, light-hearted team that cares deeply about their service to the State of Colorado. People in this unit are successful because they enjoy their autonomy but thrive in a collaborative environment where people work together to help each other succeed. Past experience as a judicial clerk is a plus.

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 and writing skills, including some experience drafting and filing briefs in federal court, and/or strong trial work in state or federal court.
• 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.
• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.

Nice To Haves

• At least five years of legal experience preferred.
• Prior experience as a state or federal judicial law clerk.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Litigate federal civil rights claims
• Handle 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 federal and state cases from pleading stage through trial and appeal

Benefits

• comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees