Assistant Attorney General – Corrections

Details

Section:
Civil Litigation and Employment Law
Position Number:
LAA-09850
Salary Range:
$88,197.00 - $136,558.00 Yearly
Apply By:
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 11:59 pm
FLSA:
Exempt
Work Unit:
Corrections
Job Location:
1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Release Date:
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Employment Type:
Full-Time
Position Type:
Non-Classified

Shape Constitutional Law. Litigate at a High Level. Serve the Public.

The Colorado Department of Law is seeking a skilled civil litigator to join the Corrections Unit—a practice at the intersection of constitutional law, federal litigation, and public service.

Attorneys in this role lead high-impact civil rights and constitutional cases in federal and state courts on behalf of the Colorado Department of Corrections and Parole. The work is intellectually demanding, writing-intensive, and strategically sophisticated—comparable in rigor and responsibility to federal government and leading litigation practices.

This position offers a rare combination:

  • Meaningful responsibility on complex cases, including opportunities for first-chair experience
  • Extensive dispositive motion and appellate briefing opportunities
  • Direct client advisory work on consequential legal issues
  • A sustainable, team-oriented environment with a predictable workload and flexibility not typically found in private practice

If you are a litigator who values precision in writing, depth in analysis, and purpose in your work – and are looking for a sustainable, high-level litigation practice – this role offers a compelling next step.

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Corrections Unit handles complex litigation involving constitutional, statutory, and civil rights claims against the State and the Department of Corrections.

This is a briefing-heavy, strategy-driven litigation practice where attorneys are entrusted with significant responsibility and autonomy.

You will:

  • Lead litigation involving 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and constitutional claims (First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments)
  • Handle ADA, RLUIPA, and habeas corpus matters
  • Draft and argue dispositive motions in federal and state courts
  • Prepare substantive briefs, including summary judgment and appellate filings
  • Conduct rigorous legal research on complex constitutional and statutory issues
  • Develop litigation strategy and oversee targeted, high-value discovery as part of strategic case development
  • Build evidentiary records for hearings, appeals, and potential trial
  • Present oral argument in trial and appellate courts
  • Advise clients and agency leadership on legal issues affecting policy, operations, and compliance
  • Collaborate with experienced litigators across the Department on significant matters

Success in this role is driven by analytical rigor, exceptional writing, and sound litigation judgment. If you want to do interesting constitutional litigation in a team-oriented environment in which you have significant control over your own cases, but with plentiful support from your colleagues, then this job is for you.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section at Department of Law. 

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.

Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). Effective July 1, 2025, the salary range for an AAG I is $88,197-$117,964/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). Effective July 1, 2025, the AAG II salary range is $102,099 – $136,558/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

 

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualified 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. 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 website.

We are seeking attorneys who have developed substantial responsibility in civil litigation, particularly in writing and motion practice.

Core Qualifications

  • Experience drafting dispositive motions or substantive briefs
  • Experience managing or contributing meaningfully to civil discovery
  • Strong analytical, research, and writing skills
  • Ability to manage complex litigation with appropriate independence
  • Sound judgment and effective client-advisory skills

Candidates typically bring 4–8 years of experience, though we strongly encourage applications from candidates who may have fewer years of experience who have exceptional credentials.

We recognize that strong litigation skills are developed through a variety of professional paths. Candidates with non-traditional backgrounds or experiences that demonstrate strong writing, analytical ability, and case development skills are encouraged to apply.

Targeted Experience (Strongly Encouraged)

We are particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds such as:

  • Federal or state appellate or district court clerkships
  • Litigation practices with significant writing responsibility
  • Government litigation experience
  • Experience with federal civil procedure and motion practice

Clerkship experience is especially valued for the analytical rigor and writing discipline it develops. Candidates transitioning from private practice will find opportunities for greater ownership, more frequent courtroom experience, and meaningful public impact.

If your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed but you believe you would bring strong analytical and writing skills to this role, we encourage you to apply.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Produces clear, precise, and persuasive legal writing
  • Enjoys developing complex legal arguments and litigation strategy
  • Is comfortable operating in a federal litigation environment
  • Exercises independent judgment while collaborating effectively
  • Is motivated by public service and institutional impact

This role is particularly well suited for litigators who value substantive briefing and legal analysis at the highest level.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE “HOW TO APPLY” SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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

Conditions of employment:

  • Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
  • This position offers flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.
  • Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
  • 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 website.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

Please view the full job announcement on the Government Jobs Website for more information, including information about compensation and benefits, and to apply online.