Description:
The Complex Litigation Division (https://www.atg.wa.gov/complex-litigation) at the Washington State Attorney General's Office has an opportunity for an experienced attorney interested in litigating significant issues that face our State and the nation. The position will be located in downtown Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, or Spokane, depending on the needs and interest of the person hired to fill this role.Duties:
As an Assistant Attorney General in the Complex Litigation Division, you can expect to work on some of the Office's most complex and high-profile cases, including safeguarding access to reproductive health care (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/federal-judge-agrees-ag-ferguson-preserves-access-medication-abortion-drug) in Washington; Washington's lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-johnson-johnson-pay-nearly-150m-over-its-role-fueling-opioid); campaign finance enforcement action (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-johnson-johnson-pay-nearly-150m-over-its-role-fueling-opioid) against Meta related to its sale of political advertisements; innovative financial institution litigation (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-s-innovative-unemployment-fraud-recovery-initiative-nets-42-million) focused on recovering the State's unemployment benefits stolen during the pandemic; and a consumer protection action (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-juul-must-pay-washington-225-million-over-its-unlawful-advertising) against JUUL related to its youth advertising. The Division has a lengthy history of affirmative federal litigation (https://www.atg.wa.gov/federal-litigation) resulting in numerous successful nationwide injunctions. (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-announces-major-victory-washington-state-federal-judge-issues)
The Division also litigates cases defending the constitutionality of state statutes as well as cases brought against state agencies, including challenges to the constitutionality of the State's law restricting gun magazine capacity size (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-s-statement-after-successfully-defending-high-capacity-magazine) and the law banning the sale of assault weapons (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-s-statement-after-successfully-defending-high-capacity-magazine); challenges to the State's forest management and marbled murrelet conservation plans (https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-s-statement-after-successfully-defending-high-capacity-magazine); and education-related litigation (https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/small-washington-district-sues-state-for-relying-on-local-property-taxes-for-school-construction/) on public school funding. The Division fulfills a leading role for the Office in the enforcement of the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which includes ongoing arbitration hearings and appeals.
Duties of attorneys in the Complex Litigation Division include directing and assisting in investigations; drafting pleadings, motions, and memoranda from initial filing through post-judgment proceedings; depositions and all other aspects of discovery; presenting oral argument; and participating in trial and post-trial proceedings, including appeals, in state and/or federal court. The Division collaborates with many of the Office's divisions, including the Solicitor General's Office, on the cases it litigates. Our attorneys may be asked to represent the Office in public settings on matters that may be of a sensitive nature or that may carry elevated media interest.
Qualifications:
The Complex Litigation Division is committed to the training and professional development of its attorneys, including significant opportunities for training, mentorship, and work with other divisions. Successful candidates will be given significant case responsibilities that are appropriate for their experience level. The Division's work-life philosophy also seeks to support employees and maximize their performance through practical and workable solutions to balancing the demands of work and personal lives. Division staff are a supportive and collegial group that share a commitment to public service work and a desire to help each other succeed.
In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, qualified candidates must have:
- Four or more years actively litigating civil cases in state and federal courts;
- Superior interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills;
- Exceptional ability to advance legal arguments by writing persuasively, concisely, and respectfully; and
- A demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage issues of a diverse and complex legal nature.
To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one 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 by motion 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.
