Assistant Attorney General - Public Counsel Unit, Seattle

State of Washington•King County - Seattle - Downtown Business, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Counsel Unit of the Washington Attorney General’s Office, located in downtown Seattle, is seeking to hire an experienced attorney to join its team. The Public Counsel advocates on behalf of millions of Washington customers of state-regulated utility and transportation companies in front of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). As a Public Counsel attorney, you will join a collegial and collaborative unit within the AGO’s Consumer Protection Division and serve as an advocate for residential and small business customers of regulated public utility companies, including electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and water companies, as well as customers of regulated transportation companies. Your work in cases that set rates, establish and enforce service quality standards, review merger and acquisition petitions, and establish clean energy standards and your participation in policy-focused practice in rulemakings before the WUTC and the Legislature will have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of millions of Washingtonians. If you are offered this position, you can expect to have responsibility and control over your daily work in both litigation and policy practices. You will have the opportunity to manage all aspects of litigation including working with Public Counsel regulatory analysts and outside experts to develop case strategy, developing and managing discovery, managing outside experts, and effectively advocating Public Counsel’s positions. You will also develop policy positions on proposed agency rules and policy dockets, engage with stakeholders, and assist the Attorney General’s Office with policy positions and advocacy before the Legislature. Public Counsel consists of four attorneys, five regulatory analyst, and three professional positions. We are a team of high-performing legal professionals who strive to provide high-quality consumer advocacy and to ensure regulated companies charge fair and reasonable rates and provide safe and reliable service. You can expect to develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and commission staff. Public Counsel is based in downtown Seattle, WA. The AGO provides some flexibility with respect to schedules and telecommuting, consistent with the needs of the Office.

Requirements

Graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program
Licensed to practice law in Washington State
Three or more years of litigation experience in administrative or judicial proceedings
Superior writing and oral advocacy skills
Excellent analytical skills
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and creatively with colleagues and stakeholders
Ability to travel on occasion, if necessary
Commitment to public service

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of litigation experience
Experience with electric, natural gas, water, or similar services
Economics, accounting, or finance experience
Experience in clean energy strategies
Public policy experience

Responsibilities

Serve as an advocate for residential and small business customers of regulated public utility companies, including electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and water companies, as well as customers of regulated transportation companies.
Manage all aspects of litigation including working with Public Counsel regulatory analysts and outside experts to develop case strategy, developing and managing discovery, managing outside experts, and effectively advocating Public Counsel’s positions.
Develop policy positions on proposed agency rules and policy dockets, engage with stakeholders, and assist the Attorney General’s Office with policy positions and advocacy before the Legislature.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and commission staff.