What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Attorney General position at State of Colorado?
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office is currently seeking talented attorneys to join our diverse practice areas. This is a unique opportunity to apply for consideration across a range of legal work.
The Attorney General and the Department of Law represent and defend the legal interests of the people of the State of Colorado and its sovereignty. The attorney general has primary authority for enforcement of consumer protection and state antitrust laws, prosecution of criminal appeals and certain complex white-collar crimes, training and certification of peace officers, and many natural resource and environmental matters. The Department is comprised of the following sections and offices:
Civil Litigation & Employment Law Section: Represents state agencies, including the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections, and employees in administrative, state, and federal courts, and prosecutes civil rights violations in administrative and state courts in addition to providing general employment advice.
Consumer Protection Section: Protects Colorado consumers and businesses by enforcing state and federal laws designed to maintain a fair and competitive business environment while protecting consumers from being targets of fraud. The Consumer Protection team investigates corporate fraud, false claims, and Medicaid fraud. This section also protects civil rights including patterns and practices of civil rights violations, fair housing, and workers’ rights.
Criminal Appeals Section: Represents the state when defendants challenge felony convictions in the state and federal appellate courts.
Criminal Justice Section: Assists local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies throughout the state on matters that occur in more than one judicial jurisdiction, including presenting cases to the Statewide Grand Jury and serving as special state prosecutors and special assistant district attorneys in local counties upon request, in addition to investigating insurance and securities fraud.
Natural Resources and Environment Section: Works with client agencies to protect and improve the quality of Colorado’s natural environment, as well as providing counsel to state agencies charged with protecting air, land, and water.
Revenue & Regulatory Law Section: Provides litigation and general counsel support to the Department of Revenue, the Property Tax Administrator and Property Tax Division within the Department of Local Affairs, Department of Regulatory Agencies, and the Public Utilities Commission trial staff.
State Services Section: Provides representation to eight of twenty executive branch principal Departments and Colorado’s five statewide elected public officials - the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer - as well as the State Board of Education.
Division of Community Engagement: Serves as Coloradans’ open door to the Department, ensures court settlement funds are responsibly, legally, and efficiently invested and disbursed, and administers important public programs such as Safe2Tell.
Learn more about our sections and their impact here. If you're passionate about serving the public and making an impact, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of Colorado law.
WHO WE ARE
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the “People’s Lawyer.” The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State’s chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: “Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all.” Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General’s Office here.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications are welcome from both residents and non-residents of Colorado.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This is a general recruitment to fill current and future Assistant Attorney General vacancies within the Department of Law. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. If you are interested in specific Assistant Attorney General positions that are posted, we encourage you to apply for those positions as well as submitting your application here. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply promptly, as applications will be reviewed prior to the announcement closing date. Please note: you may only be contacted if your application is selected for referral to interviews as vacancies arise.
SALARY INFORMATION
The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.
Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). The salary range for an AAG I is $85,795-$95,437/annually.
Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $99,318 - $132,901/annually.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Assistant Attorney General provides legal advice, counsel, and representation to officials, agencies, boards, and commissions of the State government. The Assistant Attorney General typically reports directly to and is supervised by a First Assistant Attorney General.
Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Litigation Duties:
Prosecute and/or defend criminal and civil litigation in which a State agency, employee, administrator, or elected official is involved.
Defend the State in tort cases, including negotiation and all stages of litigation through appeals.
Work with and assist District Attorneys, managing settlement funds, directing assigned clerical workers, paralegals, and investigators.
2. Administrative Procedure Duties:
Prosecute and/or defend Administrative Procedures Act quasi-judicial matters.
Assist agencies with preparations for hearings, including notice preparation, compliance with notice requirements, witness preparation, and presentation of the agency’s position.
Represent State agencies at administrative hearings and rule-making proceedings at both State and Federal levels, ensuring compliance with notice and procedural requirements.
Handle appeals and judicial review processes.
3. Advisory Duties:
Provide legal advice (oral and written) to State agencies and attorneys, including preparing drafts for official Attorney General opinions.
4. Administrative Duties:
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, leases, deeds, easements, permits, licenses, and other legal instruments for State agencies.
Review and draft legislation and regulations, assessing agency authority, legislative history, and potential implications of proposed rules and legislation.
Appear before legislative committees when required.
Participate in multi-state cases and conduct training seminars.
5. Lead Duties:
Lead and supervise secretaries, paralegals, and investigators.
Occasionally monitor or assist less experienced attorneys.
Knowledge and Skills:
Strong skills in legal research, case management, investigatory procedures, and discovery.
Knowledge of open meetings laws and broad areas of law.
Experience in trial work in both State and Federal courts.
Ability to draft proposed rules and legislation, prepare legal briefs, and pleadings.
Expertise in working with expert witnesses and managing case loads.
Strong judgment, confidentiality, and analytical skills.
Ability to direct clerical, paralegal, and investigative staff.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with State officials, administrators, opposing attorneys, courts, and colleagues within the Department of Law.
Additional Abilities:
Ability to prepare, file, and argue cases in court, handling unanticipated situations.
Ability to create clear and complete legal documents and reports.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
License to practice law in Colorado, or eligibility to waive into the Colorado Bar.
Qualified applicants must either be licensed to practice law in Colorado or eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. If you are eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar, you will be required to submit proof of your completed application before your first day of employment.
Ideal Candidate Attributes:
Strong Writing Skills: Ability to draft clear, concise, well-written, and persuasive legal documents.
Excellent Interpersonal Skills: Capable of building relationships with clients, staff, and the public.
Exceptional Communication Skills: Must be able to effectively convey legal concepts and advice both verbally and in writing.
As an Assistant Attorney General, you will regularly interact with clients, colleagues, and members of the public. A commitment to building effective and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders is essential.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE "HOW TO APPLY" SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Conditions of Employment:
Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado bar, please visit the Colorado Supreme Court’s Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.
The Department of Law offers the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule, which will vary depending on the work unit. Please note that flexible work arrangements may change based on business needs.
Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the online applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the online application.
Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) at least one independent writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents. Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
ADAAA Requests
The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher at hr@coag.gov.
For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov.
WHY WORK FOR US
We Embrace Flexibility
We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members – which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.
We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more! If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!
We Have Strong Core Values
Our core values drive our actions. At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.
We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys
We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.
We Offer Excellent Benefits
In addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
- Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
- Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an 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.
Salary : $85,795 - $132,901
