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.

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.

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.

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 $74,520 and $139,572. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of theAWAAG 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'senvironmental 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 (509)-456-6390 or Nicholas.Ulrich@atg.wa.gov.

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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 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.