Assistant Attorney General - Spokane Division's Torts Section

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Company: State of Washington

Location: Spokane, WA 99208

Description:

Salary: $76,752.00 - $149,508.00 Annually

Location : Spokane County - Spokane, WA

Job Type: Exempt

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 2024-06716

Department: Attorney General's Office

Opening Date: 06/24/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HRE[redacted]. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at [redacted] or www.washingtonrelay.com.

All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office serve a crucial role in the protection of the state, its people and resources, thereby providing an incomparable degree of job satisfaction. The AGO is composed of diverse, collegial and supremely talented legal professionals who are resolute in their commitment to public service and share the common goal of advancing the public interest. For more information about the AGO, we encourage you to review the Office's Annual Report which can be found HERE and view THIS VIDEO

The Office appreciates the benefits of a healthy life-work balance as well as a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace. Successful candidates will join an Office in which every person is committed to providing exceptional legal services and where individual professional development is encouraged and supported. The exceptional benefits of joining the AGO include:

  • A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits and retirement plans
  • Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
  • Transparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between $76,752 and $149,508. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA
  • The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA
  • Flex schedules and telecommuting options
  • A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environment
  • Health and wellness program
  • Training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide


This position is based in Spokane, Washington. Spokane is a vibrant and beautiful city that enjoys four distinct seasons and provides residents and visitors with world class outdoor adventures, including: fishing and whitewater rafting in the Spokane River; biking the Centennial Trail; snow skiing at nearby Mt. Spokane, Lookout Pass, Silver Mountain, 49 Degrees North, or Schweitzer Mountain; and hiking, boating or fishing in a host of nearby lakes and nature preserves. Spokane also offers great indoor activities: theater, including Broadway shows; live music; multiple exhibits; and the opportunity to taste Washington's renowned grapes and hops at a number of local wineries and craft breweries.

The Torts Section in the WA State Attorney General Office's Christine O. Gregoire Spokane Division has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General position. More than one position may be filled from this recruitment. The Spokane Torts Section presently consists of nine attorneys, eleven paralegals, and seven investigators.

Duties

Attorneys in the Torts Section of the Spokane Division work on tort, civil rights and employment cases while representing a broad array of clients, including the Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, Washington State Patrol, Washington State University, and Eastern Washington University are examples.

The selected attorney can expect to litigate in both state and federal courts and immediately assume full responsibility (with appropriate mentoring and guidance) for a varied caseload including but not limited to:
  • Negligent investigation, highway design and maintenance;
  • Negligent supervision, excessive force, wrongful termination; and
  • Civil rights violations and other claims for money damages brought against state agencies and employees.


The attorney hired will be responsible for all aspects of litigation including:
  • Generating and answering written discovery;
  • Taking and defending depositions;
  • Bringing and answering motions, including dispositive motions;
  • Participating in mediation;
  • Working with lay and expert witnesses;
  • Handling jury and bench trials; and
  • Handling appeals from their cases.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirement to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, employees in both the Spokane Division and in the Torts Division work in a collaborative environment; thus the ability to work as a member of the team and to affirmatively contribute to the Divisions' respectful and inclusive workplace is essential and required. In addition, the successful candidates must have:
  • Strong analytical, research and writing skills;
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills;
  • Superior communication skills;
  • Good problem solving skills;
  • Excellent judgment and common sense; and
  • The ability to work well in a team environment with the assigned litigation support/investigative staff, the client agencies, and agency Risk Managers, the Office of Risk Management, and both Spokane Division and the AGO's Torts Division attorneys.


The successful candidates will ideally also have the following characteristics or experience:
  • An expressed interest in the practice of public sector law;
  • Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills; Excellent organizational skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
  • The ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and communication styles; and
  • 3 years or more of litigation experience which includes:
    • Interviewing witnesses, conducting, and responding to discovery;
    • Taking depositions;
    • Drafting briefs;
    • Handling an active motion practice;
    • Working with expert witnesses;
    • Interacting with high-level client representatives;
    • Conducting trials in superior or federal court; and
    • Handling progressively more complex trials in the area of torts, civil rights, and/or employment litigation.


Applicants must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; and be licensed to practice law in Washington State. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. The AGO greatly encourages, celebrates and values diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfill its mission of providing excellent, independent and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people.

Supplemental Information

These Assistant Attorney General positions are represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $76,752 and $149,508. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical/dental insurance plans, retirement, life and basic long-term disability insurance. In addition, there are non-financial benefits that include working in a collaborative and supportive work environment where professional development and work-life balance are highly valued. The health, safety and professional satisfaction of all AGO staff and volunteers is critical to fulfilling the mission of the AGO to provide exceptional legal services. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies

Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:
  • A letter of interest;
  • Resume;
  • Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
  • Writing sample.

If you have questions about these positions or wish to learn more about them before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Section Chief Nicholas Ulrich at ([redacted] / This position is open until filled and interviews will be scheduled throughout the duration of the recruitment thus you are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HRE[redacted]. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at [redacted] or www.washingtonrelay.com.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
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