Assistant Attorney General - Social & Health Services Division, Seattle

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

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is hiring an Assistant Attorney General for its Social and Health Services Division in downtown Seattle. The position primarily involves juvenile litigation representing the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which files dependency and permanency cases arising from allegations of child abuse and neglect. The division also represents the Department of Social and Health Services and handles litigation involving licensed facilities, protection of vulnerable adults, and appeals. The division has 36 attorneys and 35 support staff. This is a fast-paced, high-volume litigation role involving frequent court appearances and daily critical thinking. The attorney manages an individual caseload with guidance and mentoring from a Team Leader and support from professional staff and colleagues. Work may include attorney-of-the-day coverage on juvenile court calendars. Court appearances take place in downtown Seattle, Seattle’s Central Area, and Kent. Many employees work a hybrid schedule with in-office and telecommuting days each week. The AGO describes its workplace as collegial, inclusive, and supportive, with an emphasis on public service, professional development, and work-life balance. The position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO.

Requirements

Graduate from an ABA-accredited law school or complete the WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.
Be licensed to practice law in Washington State.
Have strong writing and oral advocacy skills.
Have excellent organizational skills.
Be able to work in a fast-paced team environment.
Have effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interact respectfully and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrate commitment to public service through background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice.

Nice To Haves

Litigation or courtroom experience.

Responsibilities

Handle all stages of dependency or termination cases, from reviewing and filing petitions through mediation, settlement, and/or trial.
Conduct motions practice in dependency review status cases.
Provide case-specific advice to clients.
Conduct civil litigation discovery.
Appear frequently in court, including providing attorney-of-the-day coverage on juvenile court calendars.
Use the rules of evidence and practice with exhibits.
Take opportunities to first-chair trials, potentially within months of starting in the division.
Manage an individual caseload with guidance from a Team Leader and support from professional staff and colleagues.

Benefits

Competitive state benefits package with a choice of medical and dental insurance plans.
Retirement plans.
Life and basic long-term disability insurance.
Vacation leave, sick leave, military and civil leave, and paid holidays.
General bar dues paid for someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31, subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Flex schedules and telecommuting options.
Formal AAG mentoring program.
Health and wellness program.
Training and career development program.
Collaborative and supportive work environment that values professional development and work-life balance.
King County Assignment Pay of 5% for positions located in King County.