Assistant Attorney General - Wing Luke Civil Rights Division, Seattle

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

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office seeks attorneys with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public service to join the Division’s affirmative civil rights team. This recruitment will be used to fill up to TWO attorney vacancies: an ATTORNEY position and a SPANISH-SPEAKING ATTORNEY position. These two Assistant Attorney General positions will undertake affirmative investigation and litigation to enforce the constitutional and civil rights of Washingtonians. The Civil Rights Division works to protect the rights of Washingtonians to live and participate in our communities without discrimination. The Division regularly takes action to protect Washingtonians’ right to be free from discrimination on the bases of protected characteristics including: race, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, disability, or use of a service animal by a person with a disability. We challenge unconstitutional police practices, unfair practices by low-income housing providers targeting senior citizens, and discrimination engaged in by nationwide companies like Motel 6, Greyhound, Facebook, and O’Reilly Auto Parts. We have successfully challenged unfair employment practices at the Northwest Detention Center and in industries ranging from aerospace to agriculture. When necessary, we also challenge federal overreach, including the federal government’s attempt to do away with birthright citizenship and to ban gender-affirming care. We work closely with the Solicitor General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division, and other AGO divisions and state agencies to enforce Washington laws in state and federal courts. For example, we partnered to challenge a janitorial franchisor's unfair and deceptive business practices that promised largely immigrant, low-wage workers the independence of business ownership but left them earning less than minimum wage. We represent the Washington State Human Rights Commission in enforcement matters under the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The Division also enforces the Healthy Starts Act’s requirements regarding workplace pregnancy accommodations and the Fair Chance Act’s prohibition on job advertisements and hiring policies and practices that unfairly exclude applicants because of criminal history. Interested candidates are encouraged to review the Division’s full list of cases and amicus briefs. Beyond investigation and litigation duties, attorneys contribute to the Division’s amicus and policy work on matters affecting the public interest. The Division engages in significant public outreach and education on civil rights topics and serves as a resource on civil rights issues within state government. Our attorneys advise the Attorney General, Legislative Director, and Policy Director on issues impacting civil rights and social justice, including proposed legislation. Civil Rights Division attorneys are routinely asked to represent the AGO in public or media settings on matters that may be sensitive, high-profile, and that carry elevated media interest. And like all Division lawyers and staff, this position will contribute to the Division’s work to promote vibrant, anti-racist, and inclusive community and governmental partnerships.

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
Five or more years of civil litigation experience, including experience with written discovery and depositions, working with witnesses including experts, the full range of non-dispositive and dispositive motions, and presenting evidence in an administrative or courtroom setting (for Attorney position)
Exceptional and positive interpersonal and communications skills, including experience working with individuals from diverse cultural, language, educational, and geographic backgrounds
Commitment to race equity and social justice
Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and the ability consistently to produce high-quality work
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability successfully to handle competing, time-sensitive assignments
Three or more years of civil litigation experience (for Spanish-Speaking Attorney position)
Experience with multiple phases of civil litigation, including initial pleadings, written discovery, and motions (for Spanish-Speaking Attorney position)
The ability to fluently read, write, and speak in Spanish and English (for Spanish-Speaking Attorney position)
A high level of motivation with the ability to work independently, be a team player, and devote the time necessary to complete the work (for Spanish-Speaking Attorney position)
Demonstrated discretion, excellent judgment, and the ability to work well as a member of a litigation team that is working under pressure (for Spanish-Speaking Attorney position)

Nice To Haves

Experience with depositions, working with witnesses including experts, the full range of non-dispositive and dispositive motions, and presenting evidence in an administrative or courtroom setting

Responsibilities

Identifying and developing possible enforcement matters under the statutes the Division enforces
Locating and interviewing witnesses
Obtaining and reviewing relevant documentary evidence
Conducting factual and legal analysis to determine whether a matter merits formal enforcement proceedings
Litigating cases as part of a litigation team
Full-scope litigation, from the preparation and filing of the initial complaint through post-judgment briefing
Propounding and responding to written discovery
Taking and defending depositions
Briefing dispositive and non-dispositive motions
Negotiation
Preparing pre-trial motions
Trying cases
Participating in post-trial proceedings including any appeals
Represent the Washington State Human Rights Commission in enforcement matters under the Washington Law Against Discrimination
Handle complaints received and enforce the Healthy Starts Act’s provisions requiring reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees
Handle complaints received and enforce the Fair Chance Act’s prohibition on job advertisements and hiring policies and practices that unfairly exclude applicants because of criminal history
Primarily handle investigations and litigation in which the impacted individuals are primarily Spanish speakers (for Spanish-Speaking Attorney position)