AAG - Children, Youth, and Families Division, PAL Section, Tumwater

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Children, Youth, and Families Division (CYF) of the WA State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in the 16-attorney Program Advice and Litigation (PAL) Section. The AAG will work in a dynamic legal field involving juvenile rehabilitation, child welfare, early learning, and licensing systems that provide critical support to children and families. Depending on the section’s needs, this position’s work may consist of advice to and representation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ (DCYF’s) contracts and public disclosure units, and juvenile rehabilitation, early learning or child welfare programs, and litigation related to the operation of these programs. This litigation is likely to include state and federal cases that involve programmatic challenges (including class action lawsuits), are complex in subject matter, and frequently involve discovery issues. The types of cases can vary and include contract, public records, civil rights, and system reform lawsuits. The work and responsibility of this division are of critical importance and have a significant impact on the families and children of our state. The satisfaction that comes from doing this work is profoundly rewarding.

Requirements

Meet the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General.
Civil litigation experience, including discovery, in state or federal court.
Strong legal skills.
Strong interpersonal skills for working with diverse personalities.
Highly value teamwork, collaboration, and the support of a positive working environment that recognizes and respects all employees.
A willingness and talent for contributing to a collegial and inclusive working environment.
The ability to provide excellent written and verbal client advice.
The ability to work with sophisticated clients who have responsibility for critical programs of statewide significance.
A strong desire to appear and litigate in court and administrative settings.
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 (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission will also be considered).
Commitment to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice.

Nice To Haves

Experience in child welfare or adjudication of juvenile offenses is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice to DCYF covering a wide range of topics, including juvenile rehabilitation, juvenile and adult sentencing, civil rights and racial equity, community release, education, requirements of the state and federal Indian Child Welfare Acts, foster care and child care licensing, early learning, and others.
Represent DCYF in litigation, which can include lawsuits arising from contracts or disclosure claims, administrative appeals, and class action litigation related to DCYF programs.
Handle appeals of termination of parental rights and dependency orders.
Consult on and edit appellate briefs for division colleagues and other divisions that represent DCYF.
Prepare litigation documents for court.
Provide written and verbal client advice.
Appear for court.
Coordinate discovery.
Negotiate with opposing counsel.
Prepare for and attend a colleague’s moot court.
Write an appellate brief.
Conduct oral argument.
Advise DCYF on the potential legal impacts of legislation.
Engage in statewide juvenile litigation and appellate coordination.
Coordinate training for juvenile litigation AAGs.
Provide policy support to the AGO when needed on juvenile rehabilitation, child welfare, and early learning issues.