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 (Download PDF reader) and view THIS VIDEO.

The Environmental Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office seeks to fill a unique Assistant Attorney General position focused on Environmental Justice litigation and advocacy, joining a team of dedicated, talented attorneys and professional staff. 

The attorney hired to fill this position will play a key role in shaping the Environmental Protection Division’s Environmental Justice Initiative. Environmental Justice recognizes that some communities — particularly low-income, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other communities of color — are disproportionally harmed by issues like pollution and climate change. This position’s responsibilities will include developing, initiating, and leading civil litigation and advocacy aimed at ensuring that communities and persons experiencing environmental harm receive improved human health and environmental protection. In addition to case evaluation, development, and litigation, a key part of this position will be to conduct outreach and develop relationships with affected communities and provide effective communication between AGO and communities experiencing environmental harm.

Cases brought by the Environmental Protection Division include matters such as: Washington v. Monsanto, seeking damages associated with polychlorinated biphenyls, which adversely impact human health and the environment; Washington v. Perry, regarding worker exposure to tank vapors at the Hanford nuclear facility; Washington et al. v. Bernhardt, challenging oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; Washington v. Crown Resources, suing a gold mining company for violations of state and federal water pollution law; and California v. Bernhardt, challenging the rollback of regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. In addition, our attorneys lead multistate amicus briefs, such as in Wilderness Society v. Trump, challenging the President’s rescission of National Monuments in Utah. 

As the above cases indicate, this position’s work will include cases arising under state or federal law, and may relate to a wide range of environmental and environmental justice topics, such as water and air quality, toxic chemicals, climate change, and worker safety. We often collaborate closely with other divisions in the Attorney General’s Office, environmental and natural resource agencies at the Federal, state, and local level, and community stakeholders.

Duties typical of attorneys within the Division include:

• Directing and assisting in investigations and case development;

• Developing creative litigation strategies to address complex legal issues;

• Drafting pleadings, motions and memoranda from initial filing through post-judgment proceedings;

• Developing federal administrative cases, including by drafting comments on federal rulemakings and other actions and filing challenges to federal decisions.

• Representing the AGO in public settings on matters that may be of a sensitive or high-profile nature;

• Conducting all aspects of discovery; and

• Motions practice, trials, and participating in post-trial proceedings including any appeals.

This position may require occasional travel, including overnight trips. The Attorney General’s Office is currently working remotely due to COVID-19; it is likely that that will still be the case when this position is filled.

Requirements for the position include:

• Five or more years of civil litigation experience are required;

• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse communities for advocacy purposes.

• Demonstrated ability to develop meaningful relationships and partnerships with community leaders and organizations on significant matters impacting communities; 

• An understanding of structural and systemic racism;

• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and collaboration and promote a positive work environment that recognizes and respects all employees;

• Ability to maintain productive working relationships across the division and with clients and stakeholders, helping to identify and resolve problems;

• Experience in a full range of discovery and motions practice;

• Strong analytical, research, and writing skills;

• Excellent judgment; 

• Experience successfully handling multiple time-sensitive assignments; and

• Commitment to help create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and culture that encourages and celebrates difference.

Highly preferred qualifications include:

• An ability to read, write or speak a second language;

• Experience in developing complex environmental cases, including citizen suits under federal law and suits under the Administrative Procedure Act; and

• Experience working on environmental justice issues, including experience building relationships with community leaders and organizations to ensure meaningful involvement from people most affected by environmental issues like climate change and pollution.

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. 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 protect the rights of its people.

This Assistant Attorney General 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 start at $69,396. Ultimately, AAG salaries are set in accordance with the AWAAG CBA. The position’s location is King County and thus the person hired would be eligible for 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. Complementing and fostering this goal, as well as along-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, is 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:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• Writing sample.

If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, please contact Division Chief Bill Sherman at 206-442-4485 or Bill.Sherman@atg.wa.gov. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2021.

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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 Kalea Muigai at 360-586-7698.  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.