Assistant Attorney General

OverviewThe Washington State Office of the Attorney General (AGO) has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General in the Social and Health Services (SHS) Division in downtown Seattle, WA. The SHS Division provides legal representation to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in King County. The primary client agency for this position is DCYF, handling dependency and permanency cases arising from allegations of child abuse and neglect, as well as litigation involving licensed facilities, vulnerable adults protection, and related appeals.The SHS Division consists of 36 attorneys and 35 support staff. The work offers opportunities to gain courtroom experience, learn trial skills, and interact with clients while serving Washington’s vulnerable population. Responsibilities Handle all stages of a dependency or termination case from reviewing and filing the petition through mediation, settlement, and/or trial. Engage in motions practice in dependency review status cases. Provide case-specific client advice and manage civil litigation discovery. Make frequent court appearances and have opportunities to first-chair trials within months of starting in the Division. Manage a typical caseload with guidance and mentoring from a Team Leader; rely on professional staff and colleagues for support. Work the hybrid schedule with in-office and telecommute days; court appearances in Seattle, the Central Area, and Kent. Qualifications and Expectations Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school or completion of the WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; current Washington State bar license required. Strong writing and oral advocacy skills; excellent organizational skills. Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with diverse clients and backgrounds. Litigation/courtroom experience is a plus. The ideal candidate will be committed to public service and to providing excellent, ethical legal services while respecting diversity and inclusion within the AGO and the communities we serve. Benefits and Compensation Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and retirement plans; paid leave and holidays. Transparent salary schedule; AAG salaries typically range and are set per Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. King County Assignment Pay (where applicable) and telecommuting/flex scheduling options. Mentoring program, health and wellness programs, and opportunities for training and career development. Environmental stewardship and a collaborative, supportive work environment. Application Process and Contact Interested applicants must apply online and upload the following, preferably as PDFs: a letter of interest, resume, law school transcript (unofficial copy acceptable), and a writing sample (10 pages or less). If you have questions about this position or would like more information, contact Division Chief Zachary Brown at zachary.brown@atg.wa.gov or (206) 587-5097. This position is open until filled with a first review date of 9/18/2025. The AGO reserves the right to close this announcement at any time without notice. Interviews will be scheduled throughout the recruitment period; applicants are encouraged to apply promptly. Note: The AGO does not use the E-Verify system and is not eligible to extend STEM OPT. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov. Equal Opportunity and Accommodation The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. Reasonable accommodations in the application process or information in alternative formats may be requested from the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. For hearing-impaired accommodations, contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or visit www.washingtonrelay.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr