Assistant Attorney General (Higher Education)

WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Higher Education Unit serves as general counsel to the Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational Schools, Collegelnvest, College Assist, Institute for Cannabis Research, History Colorado, and four public institutions of higher education: Fort Lewis College, Colorado Mesa University, Adams State University, and Western State Colorado University. The Unit also represents and works collaboratively with in-house counsel at all of Colorado’s public colleges and universities. The Unit provides general advice to clients on a wide variety of issues, including: board representation, open meetings and open records, drafting formal and informal opinions on public postsecondary education issues, tenure, due process, intellectual property, state and federal compliance including Clery Act, ADA and Rehab Act, FERPA, Title IX, Title VII, Free Expression, and Due Process, as well as policy drafting. The Unit handles litigation in state, federal, and administrative courts. The Unit also handles transactional work, including contract drafting, review, and negotiation in a variety of settings, from simple service agreements to software contracts, real estate transactions, and construction contracts.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Serve as general counsel to institute boards, including advice on open meetings and rulemaking;
• Provide legal advice (both written and oral) and serve as litigation counsel on education issues related to tenure, due process, campus safety, student services, state and federal compliance with Title IX, the Clery Act, and the ADA.
• Handle privacy and disclosure issues related to subpoenas, CORA, and FERPA.
• Defend clients in litigation in state, federal and administrative courts at both the trial and appellate levels. Litigation ranges from administrative hearings on student or faculty discipline, to Title IX claims, and constitutional challenges.
• Coordinate occasional transactional work, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts related to service agreements, software, real estate, and construction.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the State Services section at the 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.

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.

We are seeking an experienced attorney with strong general counsel skills and a demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted strategic advisor in a high-stakes environment. This position involves advising senior leadership and governing boards within higher education institutions and requires the ability to provide clear, practical, and strategic legal guidance to educated and sophisticated client audiences. The successful candidate must be comfortable operating in complex, visible, and high-impact matters.

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate excellent time management skills and the ability to independently manage a diverse and complex caseload with minimal supervision.
• Possess a strong general counsel background, including experience serving as a strategic partner to leadership and providing practical, solutions-oriented legal advice in high-stakes matters.
• Communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with educated, sophisticated clients, including senior executives, governing boards, and institutional leadership.
• Exhibit exceptional legal research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Maintain outstanding interpersonal and client relationship skills with the ability to build credibility, trust, and influence across a range of stakeholders.
• Work effectively and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Exercise sound judgment and professional maturity in interactions with internal and external stakeholders, including knowing when to elevate issues or consult with colleagues and supervisors.
• Demonstrate initiative and intellectual curiosity with the ability to quickly learn and advise in new or evolving areas of law.
• Civil litigation experience is strongly preferred, but not required.
• Background in higher education law, advising boards, constitutional law, or government representation is also desirable

In addition, we are looking for a candidate with at least five years of experienceas a practicing attorney. This includes fellowship or judicial clerkship experience. Candidates without five years of experience may be considered if their application demonstrates a strong background in higher education law or related field.

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.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.

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.

The Higher Education Unit offers flexible work arrangements. Please note that flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.

Travel within and out of state, as well as working outside of regular business hours, may be necessary, including in-state trips that require long distance driving. A valid driver’s license is required.