First Assistant Attorney General – False Claims Unit
Details
- Section:
- Consumer Protection
- Position Number:
- LAA-09909
- Salary Range:
- $139,751.00 - $186,917.00 Yearly
- Apply By:
- Monday, March 3, 2025, 11:59 pm
- FLSA:
- Exempt
- Work Unit:
- False Claims
- Job Location:
- 1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
- Release Date:
- Friday, February 14, 2025
- Employment Type:
- Full-Time
- Position Type:
- Non-Classified
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Colorado Department of Law, Consumer Protection Section is recruiting for the First Assistant Attorney General to lead the False Claims Unit and drive the development and implementation of Colorado’s new False Claims Act. This position provides a rare opportunity for an attorney to exercise discretion and strategy in shaping a new area of civil enforcement on behalf of the Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General offers the opportunity to be involved in challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a collaborative environment supported by leadership committed to effective and innovative legal work.
Application will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
This leadership position in the False Claims Unit is a truly unique opportunity to shape the future of the law and build Colorado’s defenses against corporate taxpayer fraud. This Unit is charged with the implementation of the new Colorado False Claims Act, which supports civil enforcement and financial recovery through both independent investigations and management of whistleblower (qui tam) litigation. The False Claims Act encompasses all varieties of government spending and collections, ranging from educational grants to mineral royalties. The False Claims Unit uses this widespread authority, as well as investigative tools, like civil investigative demands, subpoenas, and depositions, to uncover and address corporate fraud against the State. The Unit works closely with the state agency counsel, city attorneys, and Plaintiffs’ bar to promote the False Claims Act as a fraud deterrent and effective method of financial recovery.
This position will exercise their knowledge and discretion to enforce this new law in a manner that will set constructive legal precedent and preserve the integrity of the State. The False Claims Unit will continue to grow under the leadership of this position, adding staff and expanding the scope of work. This position will require a growth mindset and leadership skills to support this developing practice.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
As the First Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Section, False Claims Unit you will have the opportunity to:
- Lead the Unit by directly supervising one attorney and directing the work of multiple other staff, including legal assistants, investigators, and temporary attorneys.
- Manage all Unit matters, including decisions on opening or closing investigations, filing cases, intervening in qui tam matters, and leading settlement negotiations.
- Lead the Unit in strategic decision-making to support the growth of the Unit and the development a body of law supporting the effectiveness and wide reach of this new statutory framework.
- Serve as the subject matter expert in the False Claims Act to agency counsel throughout the Department of Law, as well as to municipal entities and their counsel.
- Partner with units across Consumer Protection to identify potential False Claims causes of action and assist in cases presenting a nexus with the False Claims Act.
- Serve a resource to the legal community to develop a Plaintiff-side false claims qui tam practice through conferences, CLE education, and general outreach.
- Report directly to the Assistant Deputy for Corporate Fraud and regularly collaborate on significant decisions or case development.
First Assistant Attorneys General at the Department of Law ensure that their units consistently provide high-quality legal representation. The First is expected to handle a caseload and act as co-counsel on unit cases and to supervise other staff in conducting investigations and litigating cases. The First Assistant Attorney General serves as a frontline leader and is responsible for employee performance management activities, supporting the Assistant Deputy Attorney General with personnel, budget, and various administrative duties affecting the work of the Unit and 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.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The First Assistant Attorney General is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law leadership team. As such, the strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies:
Communication & Listening – Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff. Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff.
Flexible & Adaptable Management – Accepts, adapts, and contributes positively to change; leads with new concepts and ideas; and encourages others to be equally adaptive and flexible.
Coaching & Developing People – Invests in our talent through coaching and sponsorship and by pushing individuals outside of their comfort zones to grow as professionals.
Creative & Strategic Problem Solving – Takes a result-oriented, open-minded, and innovative approach to overcoming challenges and dealing with crises.
Enterprise & Growth Mindset – Balances the goals of clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise.
Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence– Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with clients, colleagues, and staff.
Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General – False Claims Unit position must have the following qualifications:
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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.
While we understand that no candidate is perfect, given the high-level nature of this role, our ideal candidate will have most of the following:
- At least seven years of legal experience.
- Demonstrated competency in litigating complex cases.
- Experience in the False Claims Act, either the federal statute or an analogous state version.
- Demonstrated ability to build new programs or develop new workstreams/processes using problem solving.
- Experience with public contracting, including knowledge of government procurement.
- Ability to operate independently with good judgement.
- Ability to think strategically and exercise discretion to identify the most efficient and impactful approach to case management.
- Confidence to dive into new subject matters and discern relevant facts quickly.
- Strong interest in public service.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ability to lead with empathy.
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.
- This position offers flexible work arrangements.
- 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.