Assistant Attorney General
- Labor & Industries Division, Olympia
Salary
$82,212.00
- $153,996.00 Annually
Location Thurston County
- Tumwater, WA
Job Type
Exempt
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2026-02879
Department
Attorney General's Office
Opening Date
04/07/2026
Closing Date
4/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
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.
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 $82,212 and $153,996.
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 Labor and Industries (LNI) Division of the WA State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an attorney to serve as an AAG representing the Department of Labor and Industries in litigation.
LNI is looking for attorneys who: Is looking to develop their litigation skills;
Have interest in representing a state agency that has a goal of doing the right thing under the law and facts;
Aims to resolve matters short of litigation through settlement and mediation where appropriate; and Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment with opportunities to learn multiple areas of law.
The division will adapt training, case assignment, and litigation or advice opportunities to the experience level of the successful candidates.
Duties
The LNI Division is a dynamic, diverse, inclusive, and collegial division. All of the LNI Division's 100+ staff are respected for their individual contributions and attributes, and all share the same commitment to serving the public by providing excellent legal services in support of their client's mission to protect workers, preserve the industrial insurance accident fund, and help injured workers heal and return to work.
The LNI Division handles litigation and advice for the Department of Labor and Industries in a broad array of areas, including worker's compensation, worker health and safety, employer services, employment standards, wage theft, building trades, and crime victim's compensation. The workload of the division includes client advice and fast-paced litigation before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, the Office of Administrative Hearings, Superior Courts, Courts of Appeal, and Federal Courts.
The Olympia LNI Division strives to make professional growth a priority and allow staff to develop their practice in areas of law that interest them, while still meeting the business needs of the section. AAGs are encouraged to take on more responsibility and subject matters as their careers progress, including training, leadership, and professional development opportunities. In addition, the Division supports its staff members to maintain healthy work-life balance and offers flexible schedules with telework opportunities. AAGs representing LNI can play many roles in litigation, including defense, affirmative litigation, and a quasi-prosecutorial role. Successful applicants can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over their daily work while also working with teams of attorneys who complement and support each other. Attorneys in the LNI Division independently handle all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motion practice, and resolving cases through hearing, trial, or negotiated settlements. Occasional statewide travel is required, but most events can be completed remotely with few requiring in-person attendance. If in-person attendance is required, it is usually in southwestern Washington. Typical responsibilities of the LNI Division's litigation attorneys include: Conducting direct and cross-examination in hearings and depositions;
Effectively handling motion practice and discovery;
Conducting legal research and writing briefs and pleadings
Interacting with outside parties and stakeholders;
Negotiating resolutions;
Presenting arguments orally and in writing; and
Engaging in superior court practice, including jury trials.
The attorney hired for this position will need to be flexible, adaptive, organized, and able to work well in partnership with technical staff and professional staff. A successful attorney can expect to handle technically challenging subject matters, such as cases involving medical and vocational experts. The LNI Division offers great mentors, a team atmosphere, and supports and encourages flexibility and creativity.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the successful candidate will have: An interest in handling labor standards, worker safety, and other cases on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries before administrative tribunals, superior courts, and in the appellate courts. Prior experience in these areas is not required, but you must be interested in handling such cases;
An interest in civil litigation, including engaging in discovery, drafting motions and briefs, negotiating with other parties and presenting oral arguments before various courts and tribunals;
An ability to handle cases electronically, including utilizing electronic files, participating in all-remote or hybrid hearings and trials, and effectively using other electronic case management tools;
The ability to contribute positively to a team and interact successfully with interested groups and members of the public;
The desire to participate in a growth-oriented culture that encourages learning and giving and receiving feedback;
Outstanding oral and written communication skills;
The ability to travel to litigation events throughout the state when needed; A commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards;
A willingness to ask for and offer help in a supportive and collegial environment;
An ability to manage an active caseload, identify and prioritize tasks, and meet short deadlines; and A commitment to working in an inclusive, creative, and collaborative work environment. Prior litigation experience with labor standards is not required for general litigation Assistant Attorney General candidates, but is preferred.
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 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 Information
This AAG position 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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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.
