Senior Assistant Attorney General/Assistant Attorney General - Employment Law Defense Unit

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Law's Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is launching a new Employment Law Defense Unit and seeks an experienced employment litigator to join its founding team as an Employment Litigation Specialist. The successful candidate will serve as a senior lead litigator and mentor on complex and consequential employment litigation involving state agencies, institutions of higher education, and public employees in state and federal court. This position combines hands-on litigation, strategic case leadership, client counseling, mentoring, and practice development. The successful candidate will manage a meaningful portfolio, lead or support high-risk and high-profile matters, help develop consistent litigation practices and resources, and contribute to the culture and systems of the new Unit. The position is best suited for an attorney with substantial employment litigation experience, sound judgment, strong written and oral advocacy, and a collaborative approach to working with clients, colleagues, and litigation teams. The Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section represents state agencies, institutions of higher education, and state officials and employees in civil litigation and employment matters. Its attorneys handle a broad range of complex and high-impact matters in state and federal courts and administrative forums, provide strategic legal advice to clients throughout state government, and work collaboratively across specialized units to deliver consistent, practical, and high-quality legal services. The Employment Law Defense Unit is a newly created team dedicated to defending state agencies, institutions of higher education, and public employees in state and federal employment litigation. The Unit will provide centralized ownership, strategy, and accountability for this growing practice area while collaborating closely with attorneys in the Employment Practices and Civil Rights, Tort Litigation, Cross-Unit Litigation, Higher Education, and other units throughout the office. The Unit's work will include claims arising under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, whistleblower statutes, 42 U.S.C. Sections 1981, 1983, and 1985, and related contract, constitutional, and tort theories. The Unit will handle matters from pre-suit assessment and early case strategy through discovery, dispositive motions, trial, appeal, and settlement. At launch, the Unit will consist of the First AAG, Senior AAG, two Assistant Attorneys General, a paralegal, and shared administrative support, with the potential to expand in the future. The Unit will also coordinate with affiliated attorneys in other units who handle or support employment matters and want to deepen their state and federal litigation experience.

Requirements

Be admitted to the Colorado Bar or clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar must submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment.
Have three (3) years or more of employment litigation experience with substantial practice in state and/or federal court.
Demonstrate experience independently developing litigation strategy and handling major phases of complex civil litigation, including discovery, dispositive motions, settlement, and trial or evidentiary hearings.
Demonstrate strong legal analysis, judgment, research, writing, oral advocacy, negotiation, organization, and time-management skills.
Demonstrate the interpersonal and client-service skills necessary to build trust, communicate candidly, and work collaboratively with clients, colleagues, and professional staff.

Nice To Haves

For the Senior Assistant Attorney General position, we are seeking applicants who have a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant legal experience as a recognized subject matter expert in employment litigation, with substantial practice in state and/or federal court.
First-chair or comparable lead responsibility in complex employment or civil litigation.
Experience representing governmental entities, public institutions, or public officials and employees.
Knowledge of public-sector employment, governmental immunity, the Colorado state personnel system, or state risk-management and settlement processes.
Experience managing a substantial litigation portfolio and communicating risk and strategy to senior or high-level stakeholders.
Experience leading litigation teams and mentoring or coaching attorneys and professional staff.
A demonstrated commitment to public service and to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, accountable, and respectful work environment.

Responsibilities

Serve as lead counsel in complex employment cases and personally handle matters through all phases of litigation, including pre-suit assessment, investigation, pleadings, discovery, experts, dispositive motions, trial, appeal, and settlement.
Defend claims arising under federal and state employment statutes and related contract, constitutional, and tort theories, including the claims identified above.
Develop early case assessments, litigation plans, staffing recommendations, discovery strategies, risk analyses, and meaningful client-communication plans.
Provide practical, candid, and strategic advice to client representatives regarding litigation risk, settlement, institutional impact, and opportunities for early resolution.
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.
Lead litigation teams by establishing clear roles, strategy, deadlines, and expectations, and by providing timely and constructive review of written work and advocacy.
Mentor and coach attorneys and professional staff and create meaningful opportunities for professional growth through active case work.
Support the First Assistant Attorney General in developing templates, playbooks, training, metrics, and other resources that improve consistency, efficiency, knowledge sharing, and practice excellence.
Partner with the Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit and other counsel to connect lessons from litigation with preventive advice, training, and improved employment practices.

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 an 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.