Assistant Attorney General – Employment Practices and Civil Rights

Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

The Department of Law/Office of the Attorney General, Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is seeking an attorney with experience in civil litigation and employment and/or labor law for a position in our Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with various state agencies and institutions of higher education on unique labor and state personnel issues and to form lasting and rewarding client relationships in a position with frequent client interaction. The attorney will serve as a litigator and advisor focusing primarily on employment work, as well as some time spent on labor work, based on unit and client needs. We are looking for a person who excels at independently tackling new and unfamiliar issues on a regular basis, and who is eager to engage as a part of a team.

Applications 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 role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Provide advice to state agencies and institutions of higher education with regard to compliance with the Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act and employment and personnel matters, and assist state agencies in resolving labor and employment disputes prior to litigation. You may also provide legal support to the State’s partnership agreement negotiation teams and provide training on labor and employment matters for client agencies and institutions.
• Represent state agencies and institutions of higher education in labor disputes before the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Labor Standards and Statistics and labor arbitrators in all phases of administrative and post-hearing litigation, and occasionally in state or federal court.
• Represent state agencies in employment matters before the State Personnel Board in all phases of administrative hearing and post-hearing litigation, and occasionally in state and federal court. These duties will include settlement negotiations, conducting discovery, preparing witnesses for hearing, motions practice, trying cases before an administrative law judge, filing and arguing appeals before the Board, Colorado Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, and occasionally trying cases before a judge or jury in court.

You may also provide advice to the Colorado Civil Rights Division on employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination matters and prosecute employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination complaints from the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

The Department of Law may fill additional Assistant Attorney General positions from this recruitment.

Salary note: 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

At a minimum, 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. Applicants eligible to waive into the bar must be eligible to Practice Pending Admission.

While we understand that no candidate is perfect, we are looking for individuals who have experience with litigation and providing legal advice, and who can check most of the following boxes:

•  Committed to and values diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service.
• Some knowledge of traditional labor law, employment law, civil rights law, and administrative law and knowledge of the state personnel system.
• Some public sector law experience
• Excellent time management skills and can handle a large load of case and advice work with minimal supervision.
• Strong litigation, analytical, research, oral, written, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.
• Well-developed ability to work collaboratively.
• Demonstrates maturity and judgment when dealing with high-level stakeholders and knows when to consult teammates and supervisors.
• Self-starter who is capable of and enjoys working independently.
• Excels at learning new areas of law and takes initiative to learn quickly and dive into subject matter.

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.

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• 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.
• Effective August 15, 2022, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within three (3) business days of hire. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. In the event of serial testing, religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.