Assistant Attorney General (Professional Boards and Programs)

The Revenue & Regulatory Law (R&R) section of the Colorado Department of Law is seeking a dynamic and committed Assistant Attorney General to join the Professional Boards and Programs (PBP) Unit. In this role, you will help protect Coloradans through the state’s regulation of licensed professions. This dedicated public servant will be involved in diverse licensing litigation work as well as providing general counsel to clients represented by the unit. This position is a great opportunity for an attorney with a passion for litigation and who takes pride in building strong client relationships based on mutual trust and respect.

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted prior to the job closing. We encourage you submit your application early if possible. 

The PBP Unit is one of 12 units within the R&R section. The R&R section represents state regulatory agencies, including the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), the Department of Revenue, the Department of Agriculture, and the State Personnel Board. R&R is the largest section in the Department of Law, comprised of 120 team members who tackle a diverse array of legal challenges for nearly 100 state agencies, boards, commissions, and divisions. DORA’s Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), licenses over 50 different professions, occupations, and industries. The work of the R&R section plays a critical role in protecting public health and safety by providing oversight of these industries and professions to ensure all licensees are providing appropriate, competent, and safe services to Coloradans.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
The PBP Unit is a collaborative and supportive team consisting of two administrative assistants, three paralegals, and 14 attorneys. Together, we serve as litigation and general counsel to approximately 40 programs within DPO, including boards, licensure offices, committees, and commissions that regulate professions in Colorado. Our work promotes consumer safety by ensuring that professionals meet licensing standards, investigating violations, and pursuing legal action when necessary – including litigation against unlicensed practice.

As an Assistant Attorney General in the PBP Unit, your primary focus will be on litigating cases and providing general counsel advice for various DPO programs. This role offers a variety of legal work that impacts the lives of Coloradans.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Litigation: Conducting hearings, mediations, negotiations, and appeals before the Office of Administrative Courts, Colorado District Courts, and appellate courts both independently and as part of a team. Actions typically include license discipline, application denial appeals, and injunctions against unlicensed practice.
• General Counsel: Guiding boards and program directors through complex regulatory issues, including interpretation of practice acts, application of Colorado Sunshine Laws, consideration of proposed rules and policies, and review of draft legislation.
• Training and Development: Conducting trainings for client staff and fellow Department of Law attorneys.
• Team Collaboration: Working closely with colleagues across units and sections on a wide range of legal matters, including representing clients in federal court when constitutional challenges arise.

The attorneys on our team represent our clients’ interests in a variety of settings, including professional licensure and disciplinary actions. The position involves an administrative law practice before the Office of Administrative Courts, as well as some practice in District Court and the Court of Appeals. Occasionally, unit attorneys will be asked to represent board members in federal court on constitutional challenges to state statutes our clients are charged with enforcing.

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. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

As part of the Colorado Department of Law, you’ll play a key role in protecting the public, upholding regulatory integrity, and promoting fairness and transparency in professional licensing. This is a fantastic opportunity for attorneys who are litigation-driven, team-oriented, and public service focused.  If you’re ready to take on challenging and rewarding legal work while working alongside a dedicated team, we’d love to hear from you.

Essential Skills for This Position

• Ability to manage a significant caseload, including working closely with unit paralegals
• Demonstrated ability to work with clients to achieve their goals
• Comfortable litigating cases and advising clients in a general counsel role
• Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills
• Committed and eager to serve the public
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Enthusiasm about working with a smart, collaborative, and fun team

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

Conditions of Employment:

• 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.
• 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.