Assistant Attorney General - Adjudicatory Counsel

The Department of Law/Office of the Attorney General, Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is seeking Adjudicatory Counsel to advise state agencies, boards, and commissions in the final step of the administrative adjudication process. This individual will have the opportunity to carry a dynamic and varied case portfolio and work with top-level public decision-makers. While this position will be housed with the Cross Unit Litigation team, it is a non-litigation position, focused on providing legal advice and upholding due process requirements under state law, such as licensing and permitting regulations. However, litigation experience (civil, criminal, or administrative) or familiarity with court procedures will be essential. If you enjoy writing, working on fast-moving cases, learning new areas of law, working on a wide variety of cases, and figuring out how best to serve a wide variety of decision-makers, this role may be for you!

WHO WE ARE
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the "People's Lawyer." The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: "Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all." Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.Application will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
In this position, you will have the opportunity to represent agency decision-makers in administrative proceedings when they act in a quasi-judicial capacity. For instance, Adjudicatory Counsel advises the Insurance Commissioner in Colorado Public Option hearings. The large variety of other agencies may include the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, Natural Resources, Personnel and Administration, Public Health and Environment, Regulatory Agencies, Revenue, and Transportation. You will also advise the Deputy Secretary of State in campaign finance matters under special statutory processes.

The Adjudicatory Counsel Program adheres to ethical safeguards when advising agencies conducting a contested evidentiary hearing, completing an administrative appeal known as the Exceptions Process, and administering proceedings through Final Agency Order or other action. Adjudicatory Counsel must be familiar with the relevant ethical and substantive legal principles and ensure that the requirements of due process are satisfied. While the Administrative Procedure Act provides general guidance on due process, many agencies are subject to additional requirements through their organic acts, regulations, and written policies and guidance. Adjudicatory Counsel should be familiar with these materials.

As a member of the Cross-Unit Litigation Team, the position will work alongside another Adjudicatory Counsel and will have the opportunity to work with other attorneys across the Department. The position will require the ability to communicate and work cooperatively with a large number of individuals. Strong analytical and writing skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are also imperative.

The Adjudicatory Counsel will also be responsible for the systematic intake of agency requests for, and procedures governing the need for Adjudicatory Counsel. When necessary due to overflow or peak demands, the Adjudicatory Counsel will oversee the assignment of Adjudicatory Counsel matters to other attorneys in the Department and supervise their work. The Adjudicatory Counsel will also be available to handle other matters where there may be a conflict requiring separate representation distinct from another Sections work. Duties may include other assignments as needed.


This recruitment may be used to fill multiple highly similar attorney positions in the Department of Law, Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section.

Salary note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Be admitted to the Colorado bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

We need an adaptive attorney with adept counseling and strong writing skills, so our ideal candidates will have at least some, if not all, of the following skills and attributes:

• Outstanding analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to pivot and focus on different areas of law
• Demonstrated competency in technical or regulatory subject areas
• Ability to work effectively and productively with fast-paced, high-volume caseload, often with short deadlines
• Strong leadership skills and ability to advise, coach, and mentor others
• Diverse practice experience, preferably in the following areas: ethics, regulation, administrative law, licensing, financial law/securities, education, environmental, appellate, quasi-appellate (candidates who enjoyed judicial clerkships will be a great match for this role)
• Committed to and values diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.

The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

WHY WORK FOR US

We Embrace Flexibility
We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.

We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more! If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!

We Have Strong Core Values
Our core values drive our actions. At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.

We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys
We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.

We Offer Excellent Benefits
In addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:

• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid vacation and sick leave earned each month
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a repayment plan while working full-time for a qualified employer.
• Free access to an on-site fitness center
• Strong, flexible retirement benefits including 401K and 457 plans
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State personnel system
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the online applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the online application.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing your interest in the position 2) a resume; 3) two writing samples, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.

The two writing samples should demonstrate your ability to provide sound legal advice to a client. The writing samples should be products that were created solely by you. Please include a brief description of the issue/scenario presented, whether the issue was time-sensitive in nature, and what (if any) feedback was received after the advice was provided. In selecting the examples, you may wish to consider providing two different forms for example, written advice that was provided by email, and advice that was provided in a more formal memorandum format.

The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher, at [email protected] or call 720-508-6511.

For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact Karen Masciulli, Director of Legal Talent, at [email protected]