Assistant Attorney General - Corrections

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is seeking a talented, enthusiastic, and experienced attorney to represent the State of Colorado in civil rights and constitutional litigation in state and federal court. 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. Application will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. WHO WE ARE The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the “People’s Lawyer.” The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State’s chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: “Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all.” Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General’s Office here .

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.
At least five years of legal experience.
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.
This position requires at least one writing sample.

Nice To Haves

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 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 federal and state cases.
Engage collaboratively as a part of a team with other attorneys and staff.

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 program 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.