Assistant Attorney General (Contracts and Procurement)

The Contracts and Procurement team has an exciting opportunity for an attorney to join their team! This position has an impact across all of Colorado and works with agencies within the executive branch, higher education institutions, elected officials and the Judicial Department on a wide range of transactional matters. The person in this position will have the opportunity to regularly interact with and provide advice to stakeholders. If you are interested in transactional work and in working on a collaborative team and providing general counsel on a broad range of subject matters, this position is for you!

WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Contracts and Procurement Unit of the State Services Section consists of several attorneys, and a legal assistant. We work as a team; however, each attorney has a diverse case load and has significant independent responsibilities. Our Unit advises and represents all Colorado state agencies, higher education institutions, elected officials and the Judicial Department on transactional matters including: state procurement matters; requests for proposals; IT vendor agreements (including cloud based contracts); capital construction; real property transactions (including leases and lease purchase agreements); agreements relating to banking, credit cards and debt management; public finance agreements (including bonds, certificates of participation, public loans and public private partnerships); complex vendor agreements; revenue generating agreements (e.g. licenses and grants); intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding (including with local airports and the federal government); energy loan agreements; and fee agreements with special assistant attorneys general. We also provide general counsel advice on procurement and contract matters, negotiate and draft contracts, and assist clients with contract disputes.

Our Unit also acts as general counsel for the Office of the State Controller (“OSC”) and works closely with the OSC on state-wide contracting and procurement issues and rulemaking. We work closely with the State Treasurer on financial matters, specifically public finance matters. Additionally, we are involved in state contract drafting, negotiating, contract review, resolving contract disputes, and terminating contracts. Periodically, we defend State agencies regarding procurement protests. We also serve as an educational and training resource for the Department of Law and its client agencies, and monitor legislation.

This attorney will have the opportunity to represent the DOL on all state contracts, and will do significant drafting and contract review to comply with state fiscal rules, State Controller policies,  state procurement code and state procurement rules. This attorney will also be heavily involved in real estate transactions, will assist state clients when contract disputes arise, and will regularly fine-tune the contract improvement process – which includes working with the OSC and procurement office, drafting state templates, ensuring adequate contractual protections for the state and state agencies on a daily basis, and working with vendors to ensure the state’s best interests and needs are met. The attorney will also provide legal opinions for our clients on specific agency contracts and programs; work closely with the Treasurer’s office on financial transactions; assist other sections in the Department of Law, as necessary; and serve as an educational and training resource for client agencies.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple attorney positions in the Department of Law.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualified applicants must be licensed to practice law in Colorado or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment.

Candidates for this position must have strong writing skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills with clients and staff, and be committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team are essential. Ideal candidates will have experience drafting contracts and transactional and financial agreements. Although not required, a strong background and interest in public finance and real estate and/or specific experience with government contracts or transactions, are a big plus.

Conditions of employment: 

• The final candidate for employment must successfully pass a thorough criminal background investigation.
• The Unit functions on a hybrid work model. New employees are expected to work in-office 3-days a week. Additional flexibility may be considered for employees after a successful onboarding and training period.

The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer and believes 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.