Assistant Attorney General - Social & Health Services Division, Olympia

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.

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 $74,520 and $139,572.  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 

The Washington State Attorney General's Office's Social and Health Services Division in Olympia has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General in its Behavioral Health Sections. This is a great opportunity to do truly meaningful and interesting work in an evolving area of the law, in a supportive, team-oriented environment.

The Behavioral Health Forensic and Behavioral Health Civil Sections are growing again. The Sections provide legal representation to the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, including the Special Commitment Center (SCC), The Office of Forensic Mental Health Services and Western State Hospital (WSH). The Behavioral Health Administration has recently opened new facilities for involuntary commitment in King County and Thurston County and has plans to open additional facilities across the State. These new positions will be part of the team that provides representation to those facilities.

This is an opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated attorney to work in a collegial, fast-paced work environment and to develop skills in state and federal litigation, civil rights law and state jury trials. With some emphasis on institutional, involuntary commitment and health law, our practice assists clients in striking the right balance between effective mental health treatment, personal rights, and the public welfare. This is a challenging but rewarding legal practice in a team of tight-knit colleagues.

This AAG position will perform a variety of work, which, depending on experience, may include:

• Handling civil commitment hearings - both bench and jury trials - in State Courts (currently Pierce, Thurston and King, with planned expansion to other counties);

• Representation of BHA in federal and state litigation concerning Civil Rights Issues and the conditions of confinement at BHA facilities;

• Handling contempt hearings in state and municipal courts in western Washington; Representing the SCC's interest in state court SVP commitment cases throughout the state;

• Providing client advice to senior managers at the SCC on issues ranging from constitutional law to real estate practice;

• Providing client advice to BHA facilities on issues ranging from health care, federal financial reimbursement, constitutional law, and patient rights;

• Handling guardianship cases in state courts; Handling public records litigation in state courts; Handling appeals in both state and federal courts; and

• Assisting on federal class action and/or complex litigation.

This full-time position is located in Tumwater, WA and involves travel, mostly to Pierce County, but also to courthouses throughout western Washington. Currently, many courts are allowing appearances via zoom or other means for remote appearance, but you may occasionally attend court in-person at the court's discretion.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the successful candidate will offer the following set of skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; Ability and interest in working in a team setting;

• Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment with competing demands;

• Ability to multitask and willingness to provide coverage for others; Comfortable working in settings around people with mental illness; and Respect and collegiality toward support staff and attorneys, contributing to our highly-valued positive work environment.

This position involves litigation in a variety of settings, as described above. As a result, some litigation experience is desired, but it is not required. If you do not have litigation experience, but are enthusiastic about getting this experience, we encourage you to apply.

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 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.

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 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;

• A list of three professional references including current supervisor;

• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and

• Writing sample.

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Behavioral Health Forensic Section Chief Nick Williamson at Nicholas.Williamson@atg.wa.gov / (360) 586-6459, or Behavioral Health Civil Section Chief Craig Mingay at Craig.Mingay@atg.wa.gov / (360) 534-4878.  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 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.