First Assistant Attorney General - Employment Law Defense Unit

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Law’s Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is establishing a new Employment Law Defense Unit and is seeking a First Assistant Attorney General (First AAG) to build and lead it. This role involves assembling a team, establishing its culture and systems, and defining how the State of Colorado handles employment litigation. The First AAG will lead a collaborative team of attorneys, a paralegal, and an administrative assistant in handling complex employment litigation for state agencies, institutions of higher education, and public employees. The position combines hands-on litigation, strategic case oversight, client counseling, team development, and the establishment of new unit systems for intake, assignment, case management, and quality control. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the practice of state and federal employment litigation defense across state government, requiring sound judgment, strong litigation skills, an enterprise perspective, and a leadership style that fosters accountability, trust, collaboration, professional growth, and exceptional client service. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis, encouraging prompt application.

Requirements

Admitted to the Colorado bar or clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application.
Experience either supervising, leading, or mentoring other legal staff, including attorneys and paralegals.
Demonstrated litigation experience sufficient to oversee and personally handle complex state and federal court matters.

Nice To Haves

First-chair or comparable lead responsibility in complex civil litigation.
Experience managing a litigation portfolio and advising other attorneys on case strategy and risk.
Prior formal supervisory or management experience.
Experience representing governmental entities, public institutions, or public officials and employees.
Knowledge of the Colorado state personnel system, governmental immunity, public-sector employment, or state risk-management and settlement processes.
Experience developing litigation systems, training, templates, metrics, or other practice-management tools.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement the Unit’s operating model, including systems for intake, triage, case assignment, staffing, workload monitoring, litigation planning, quality control, knowledge management, and escalation of significant risk.
Build a strong, inclusive, and accountable team culture grounded in collaboration, candid communication, sound judgment, professional excellence, and public service.
Lead, supervise, coach, and evaluate attorneys and professional staff, including setting clear expectations, providing timely feedback, supporting professional development, and addressing performance concerns directly and constructively.
Coordinate effectively with affiliated attorneys and leaders across the Department so that employment litigation is staffed strategically and attorneys outside the Unit can continue to contribute and develop relevant expertise.
Make hiring recommendations, approve leave, address personnel and operational matters, and perform other management responsibilities associated with leading a Department of Law unit.
Provide strategic oversight of the Unit’s docket and ensure that each matter has clear ownership, an early case assessment, a litigation plan, an appropriate staffing model, and meaningful client communication.
Advise attorneys and litigation teams on pleadings, discovery, experts, dispositive motions, trial strategy, appeals, settlement, and other significant case decisions.
Personally handle a meaningful portfolio of employment litigation, with the scope of that portfolio calibrated to the Unit’s leadership and supervisory demands.
Lead or support high-risk, high-profile, novel, or especially complex matters, including matters requiring coordination with senior Department leadership, the Governor’s Office, Risk Management, the State Controller, or outside counsel.
Promote consistent litigation positions, efficient practices, and high-quality written and oral advocacy across the State’s employment-defense portfolio.
Build trusted relationships with agency and higher-education leaders, general counsel, human-resources professionals, and other client representatives.
Provide practical, candid, and strategic advice regarding litigation risk, settlement, institutional impact, and opportunities for early resolution.
Partner with the Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit and other counsel to connect lessons from litigation with preventative advice, training, and improved employment practices.
Develop templates, playbooks, training, metrics, and other resources that improve consistency, efficiency, and practice excellence.
Monitor legal, legislative, and operational developments affecting state employment litigation and help the Department respond strategically.
As needed, select, supervise, and evaluate outside counsel and ensure cost-effective, coordinated representation.

Benefits

Competitive medical, dental and vision 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
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.