First Assistant Attorney General (Labor Unit)

Department Information

Description of Job

The Labor Unit of the State Services Section in the Colorado Department of Law serves as general counsel to three departments in state government: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA), and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). The Unit advises on a variety of issues, including: board representation, open meetings and open records, rulemaking, drafting formal and informal opinions on wide variety of legal topics. The Unit handles litigation in state, federal, and administrative courts at both the trial and appellate court levels. The Unit occasionally handles some 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. Attorneys in this unit manage a mixture of litigation, general legal advice (both oral and written), and may include some transactional support. Attorneys also participate in bill review during the legislative session. Attorneys co-counsel various civil litigation cases, sometimes in collaboration with other units in the office, and also provide advice, draft formal and information opinions, and draft and interpret rules and policies. Unit attorneys also write appellate briefs and perform oral argument at the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
As the First Assistant Attorney General, you will have the opportunity to perform sophisticated government work while overseeing a team of attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff to ensure the best services are offered to clients of the unit. In this role, you will be responsible for inspiring, coaching, leading, and supporting your team of professionals, drawing out the best from your team and pushing them to fulfill the Department of Law’s mission of protecting the rule of law and ensuring justice for all Coloradoans. You will also litigate matters in administrative court, as well as state and federal district courts and appellate courts, typically in collaboration with other attorneys. You will be the lead point of contact for the Unit’s clients and ensure that information is communicated in a timely, professional, and helpful manner. You will be responsible for Unit meetings, overseeing attorney development, and fostering a collegial and professional culture. You will also help balance caseloads and ensure work is assigned in a balanced and effective manner.

Salary note: The DOL 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.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The First Assistant Attorney General is part of the Office of the Attorney General/DOL 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.
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 – Labor Unit position must meet the following criteria:

• Admitted to the Colorado Bar or 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 before the first day of employment.
• A minimum of 7 years of general counsel, litigation, or other directly related legal experience.

• Experience providing management, supervisory, or other demonstrated leadership experience to large teams.
• Prior management or supervisory experience leading a diverse workforce.
• Experience representing large, complex clients and demonstrated experience building strong client relationships
• Strong trial advocacy and litigation strategy skills
• Knowledge or experience working in labor, employment, and personnel-related issues
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to balance a caseload with management/ supervisory responsibilities
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service

• 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.

Supplemental Information

WHY WORK FOR US

We Embrace Flexibility
We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members – which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.

We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more! If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!

We Have Strong Core Values
Our core values drive our actions. At the DOL, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.

We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys
We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.

We Offer Excellent Benefits
In addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:

• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid vacation and sick leave earned each month
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a repayment plan while working full-time for a qualified employer.
• Free access to an on-site fitness center
• Strong, flexible retirement benefits including 401K and 457 plans
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State personnel system
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program