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State of Washington

Assistant Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division, Seattle/Spokane

State of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022


DescriptionAll 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 plansVacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid HolidaysTransparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between

$76,752 and $149,508.

The exact amount is set in accordance with

Appendix B of the AWAAG CBAThe 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 CBAFlex schedules and telecommuting optionsA formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environmentHealth and wellness programTraining and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwideThe Consumer Protection Division

of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office is seeking to hire an attorney to join its team as an Assistant Attorney General (AAG). The CP Division aims to protect Washington consumers from unfair and deceptive acts through its enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), RCW 19.86, and other consumer protection laws.DutiesAs a CP attorney, you will get the opportunity to serve some of Washington’s most vulnerable communities. While the CP Division’s work is for the benefit of all Washington consumers, much of the Division’s enforcement actions are focused on unlawful business practices that target people of limited means, veterans, the elderly, the infirm, and immigrants. In this position, you would be at the forefront of these cases, and your work will have a direct, measurable impact on the lives of vulnerable Washingtonians.The Division’s management strives to find engaging, interesting, and fulfilling work that is well suited to the experience level and interests of the individual AAGs. The Division does a good job of balancing the staffing needs of the various investigations and cases with the interests of AAGs in particular subjects and industries. There are AAGs in the Division who choose to focus on specific areas, like healthcare, veterans’ issues, or privacy matters, while others prefer a variety of practice areas. The Division’s management also makes professional growth a priority. AAGs are encouraged to take on more responsibility as their careers progress, and training, leadership, and professional development are all opportunities this position will provide.If you are offered this position, you can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over your daily work while also working with teams of attorneys who complement and cover for each other. As an experienced AAG you will lead your own investigations and all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motions practices, and resolving cases through trial or negotiated settlements. More senior AAGs are expected to provide mentorship and leadership to newer attorneys and staff. You will be expected to manage your caseload to ensure matters are moving expeditiously. You may also be required to advise the Attorney General’s leadership and policy staff on consumer protection issues and provide public education and outreach.Attorneys can expect to participate in high-profile consumer protection litigation such as

State v. Navient

(student lending),

State v. Providence

(charity care violations),

State v. Google

(unlawful privacy practices),

State v. Chuck’s Towing

(failure to comply with Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act),

State v. CA Certificate Services

(government imposter),

State v. Federal Way Discount Guns

(unlawful sale of large capacity magazines),

State v. Puppyland

(predatory lending),

State v. CLA Estate Services, Inc., et al.

(financial exploitation of seniors), and

State v. LuLaRoe

(misrepresentations regarding profitability).The selected candidate will work in downtown Seattle or Spokane as determined by the candidate’s preference. The AGO provides some flexibility with respect to schedules and telecommuting, consistent with the needs of the Office.QualificationsThe ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, creative, have a strong work ethic, and enjoy working within a team-oriented community. A commitment to public service and to becoming a great consumer protection attorney is a must!In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the CP Division also seeks applicants that have:Three or more years of litigation experience, including handling discovery and dispositive motions under the civil rules;Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills;Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders;The ability to multi-task, manage a large caseload, and adapt to changing priorities and demanding deadlines;Must be an active member, in good standing, in the State Bar of Washington, andAbility to travel on occasion if necessary.Preferred experience:Experience handling cases involving consumer protection issues; andComplex litigation experience.While consumer protection experience would be a strength, the AGO is particularly interested in applications from litigators generally. Attorneys with experience in personal injury or insurance defense litigation, commercial litigation, probate litigation, employment litigation, or other litigation fields are encouraged to apply.Attorneys who lack the above-listed experience, but who have other experience that they believe would be relevant to the Division’s work are also encouraged to apply. The CP Division may waive the need for significant litigation experience for attorneys who have significant experience in the fields of healthcare, privacy, technology, finance, non-profit work or philanthropy, trust and estates, and/or experience serving traditionally marginalized communities.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.Supplemental InformationThis Assistant Attorney General positions is 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 $76,752 and $149,508.

Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA.

The salary of an employee whose official duty station is Seattle would reflect 5% King County Assignment Pay per legislative action. 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.Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system,

preferably as PDFs :A letter of interest;Resume;Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); andWriting sample.For more information about the positions, or if you have questions about whether your experience would translate well to work in the Consumer Protection Division, please contact Seann Colgan at

Seann.Colgan@atg.wa.gov

or Eric Newman at

Eric.Newman@atg.wa.gov .

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