Assistant Attorney General - Gov. Compliance & Enforcement Division, Olympia

Posting number: 2026-06007

Department: Attorney General's Office

Job classification: EXEMPT

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Attorney

SummaryPersons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at
All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office serve a crucial role in the protection of the state, its people and resources, thereby providing an incomparable degree of job satisfaction. The AGO is composed of diverse, collegial and supremely talented legal professionals who are resolute in their commitment to public service and share the common goal of advancing the public interest. For more information about the AGO, we encourage you to review the Office's Annual Report which can be found HERE.

The Office appreciates the benefits of a healthy life-work balance as well as a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace. Successful candidates will join an Office in which every person is committed to providing exceptional legal services and where individual professional development is encouraged and supported. The exceptional benefits of joining the AGO include: 

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits and retirement plans
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
• Transparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between $86,386 and $157,080. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA

• The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA

• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environment
• Health and wellness program
• Training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The WA State Attorney General’s Office’s Government Compliance and Enforcement Division (GCE) seeks applicants for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in its Enforcement Section.

GCE is a professional and inclusive work environment where teamwork, high quality legal service, and work-life balance are highly valued, and our employees are supported in their professional growth. GCE includes 60 attorneys and professional staff located on the Capitol Campus with direct access to downtown Olympia and the beautiful State Capitol grounds. GCE provides legal services to nearly 40 state agencies, boards, and commissions, including those that protect citizens by regulating health care providers, insurers, liquor and cannabis businesses, gambling, campaign finance, ethics, financial institutions, and more. Final client assignments will be dependent on experience, interest, and division needs, and can change over time allowing attorneys to gain experience with a wide variety of client agencies and areas of the law.

Examples of duties

The AAG will be part of a collaborative team of attorneys and professional staff that prepare and litigate enforcement matters for the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC). GCE’s AAGs help DFI in its regulatory efforts to promote economic vitality by enforcing the state’s laws and regulations in cases involving consumer loan companies, mortgage brokers, securities issuers, broker dealers, investment advisers, payday lenders, escrow agents and officers, credit unions and banks. Our AAGs support WSGC’s regulation of a variety of gambling activities such as card games, bingo, amusement games, punch boards/pull-tabs, nonprofit raffles, and fund-raising events. This is an opportunity to serve the public and protect Washingtonians while working with these client agencies on interesting, high profile and cutting-edge legal issues.

GCE’s Enforcement Section attorneys mostly litigate before the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), while also handling some cases in Superior Court and the state’s appellate courts under the judicial review provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Duties include writing, presenting and responding to motions, interviewing and presenting witnesses, providing client advice related to the litigation, evaluating cases for settlement possibilities, and appearing for hearings. 
 

The attorney must be able to prioritize and multi-task. A typical workday could include:

• Reviewing evidence gathered during agency investigations; 
• Conducting research; 
• Drafting pleadings; 
• Interviewing witnesses; 
• Attending status conferences or hearings; 
• Consulting with supervisors or co-workers; or 
• Meeting with a client.

This is a full-time position that involves occasional travel, depending on hearing locations. Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, we seek an attorney who has:

• A demonstrated commitment to public service; 
• Litigation experience at the administrative, state and/or federal level; 
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and writing skills; 
• Excellent oral advocacy skills;
• The ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships; and 
• Values a diverse, creative and collaborative work environment.

 
 Experience with the APA is preferred but not required. Candidates with at least 3-5 years of previous experience as a practicing attorney are preferred.

Applicants must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; and be licensed to practice law in Washington state. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission by motion will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. The AGO greatly encourages, celebrates and values diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfill its mission of providing excellent, independent and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people. Supplemental information

This AAG position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $83,856 and $157,080. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical/dental insurance plans, retirement, life and basic long-term disability insurance. In addition, there are non-financial benefits that include working in a collaborative and supportive work environment where professional development and work-life balance are highly valued. The health, safety and professional satisfaction of all AGO staff and volunteers is critical to fulfilling the mission of the AGO to provide exceptional legal services. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies. 

Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above.  In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system, preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) showing the date law degree was conferred; and
• Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Section Chief Stephen Manning at Stephen.Manning@atg.wa.gov or 360.534.4846

*************************

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.  If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 or support@neogov.com.