Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
Position and Salary
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 1 in the Civil Rights Division. This position is located in Seattle and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
If you are a legal support professional looking for a supportive, collaborative environment where you can contribute in meaningful ways, we invite you to consider joining our team. If you choose to join our office, you will join a team committed to supporting work-life balance and providing a wide variety of professional development and advancement opportunities.
In addition to one of the best benefits packages in the country, the Paralegal 1 salary range is $54,204 - $72,924 (effective July 1, 2024). The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
The following premium pay may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay.
• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay.

Excellent benefits
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more.
With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ , Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division has led some of the most visible and cutting-edge enforcement matters the office undertakes, including Washington's challenges to the federal government’s Travel Ban, Transgender Military Service Ban, and repeal of DACA. We challenge labor practices at the Northwest Detention Center and in industries ranging from aerospace to agriculture.
The team protects the rights of Washingtonians to live and participate in our communities without discrimination on the bases of protected characteristics including: race, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, disability, or use of a service animal by a person with a disability. We take on unconstitutional police practices and challenge discrimination by nationwide companies like Motel 6, Greyhound, and Facebook.
We also work closely with the Solicitor General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division, and other AGO divisions and state agencies to enforce Washington laws in state and federal courts. For example, we recently partnered to lead a multi-state lawsuit to protect reproductive choice and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we enforced Governor Inslee’s emergency moratorium on evictions, ensuring compliance by housing developers, affordable housing providers, and a national sorority.
The Civil Rights Division is located in Seattle and consists of seventeen attorneys, four investigators, and six professional staff members. Each member of our team is committed to the highest-quality work. We value collaboration, diversity, creativity, and collegiality.
Interested candidates are encouraged to review the Division’s full list of cases and amicus briefs.
Position Description
What does a Paralegal 1 do?
Our Paralegal 1 staff provide critical support for Assistant Attorneys General in litigation of matters in state and federal courts, preparing for trial, and applying knowledge of court rules related to legal practice, subject matter, and court filing procedures in civil and appellate matters.
As a Paralegal 1, you may be entrusted to perform some of the following duties:

• Monitors, tracks, and updates status of attorneys’ cases from summons to trial and appeal;
• Prepares, proofreads, serves, and files a wide variety of pleadings, motions, briefs, and other court filings in compliance with the applicable rules for courts at both the state and federal level throughout Washington and the country;
• Checks legal citations and references for correct substance and format;
• Schedules and coordinates testimony at deposition, hearings, and trial including for attorneys, experts, clients and court reporters; summarizes depositions and other discovery materials; prepares relevant documents including witness fees and vouchers content;
• Communicates with the courts, clients, and witnesses regarding deadlines and case schedules and confirms scheduling;
• Performs legal research using both manual and electronic means to gather, analyze, and verify for accuracy information relevant to litigation regarding specific topics, statutes, case law, court rules, and legislative history.

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.
Agency Information
Washington State Office of the Attorney General
The work of the AGO touches the lives of every resident in Washington, providing excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the State and protecting the rights of its people. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.
Commitment to Diversity
Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO and we are committed to building an anti-racist and equitable agency. It is our goal to identify, discuss, and challenge racial inequity in the workplace and the impact it has on our employees, and, within our authority, combat racism that impacts the people of the State of Washington. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in a professional, inclusive, respectful environment.
One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2023 "Zo8 Washington Wellness Award".