The Department of Law/Office of the Attorney General, Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is seeking Adjudicatory Counsel to advise state agencies, boards, and commissions in the final step of the administrative adjudication process. This individual will have the opportunity to carry a dynamic and varied case portfolio and work with top-level public decision-makers. While this position will be housed with the Cross Unit Litigation team, it is a non-litigation position, focused on providing legal advice and upholding due process requirements under state law, such as licensing and permitting regulations. However, litigation experience (civil, criminal, or administrative) or familiarity with court procedures will be essential. If you enjoy writing, working on fast-moving cases, learning new areas of law, working on a wide variety of cases, and figuring out how best to serve a wide variety of decision-makers, this role may be for you!
See full job description at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/4448261/assistant-attorney-general-adjudicatory-counsel
Responsibilities
In this position, you will have the opportunity to represent agency decision-makers in administrative proceedings when they act in a quasi-judicial capacity. For instance, Adjudicatory Counsel advises the Insurance Commissioner in Colorado Public Option hearings. The large variety of other agencies may include the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, Natural Resources, Personnel and Administration, Public Health and Environment, Regulatory Agencies, Revenue, and Transportation. You will also advise the Deputy Secretary of State in campaign finance matters under special statutory processes.
The Adjudicatory Counsel Program adheres to ethical safeguards when advising agencies conducting a contested evidentiary hearing, completing an administrative appeal known as the “Exceptions Process,” and administering proceedings through Final Agency Order or other action. Adjudicatory Counsel must be familiar with the relevant ethical and substantive legal principles and ensure that the requirements of due process are satisfied. While the Administrative Procedure Act provides general guidance on due process, many agencies are subject to additional requirements through their organic acts, regulations, and written policies and guidance. Adjudicatory Counsel should be familiar with these materials.
As a member of the Cross-Unit Litigation Team, the position will work alongside another Adjudicatory Counsel and will have the opportunity to work with other attorneys across the Department. The position will require the ability to communicate and work cooperatively with a large number of individuals. Strong analytical and writing skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are also imperative.
The Adjudicatory Counsel will also be responsible for the systematic intake of agency requests for, and procedures governing the need for Adjudicatory Counsel. When necessary due to overflow or peak demands, the Adjudicatory Counsel will oversee the assignment of Adjudicatory Counsel matters to other attorneys in the Department and supervise their work. The Adjudicatory Counsel will also be available to handle other matters where there may be a “conflict” requiring separate representation distinct from another Section’s work. Duties may include other assignments as needed.
Qualifications
To be considered for this position, 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.
We need an adaptive attorney with adept counseling and strong writing skills, so our ideal candidates will have at least some, if not all, of the following skills and attributes:
- Outstanding analytical, writing, and communication skills
- Ability to pivot and focus on different areas of law
- Demonstrated competency in technical or regulatory subject areas
- Ability to work effectively and productively with fast-paced, high-volume caseload, often with short deadlines
- Strong leadership skills and ability to advise, coach, and mentor others
- Diverse practice experience, preferably in the following areas: ethics, regulation, administrative law, licensing, financial law/securities, education, environmental, appellate, quasi-appellate (candidates who enjoyed judicial clerkships will be a great match for this role)
- Committed to and values diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service
Application Process
Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the online applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the online application.
Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing your interest in the position 2) a resume; 3) two writing samples, and 4) three professional references. Use the “Attachments” feature of the online application to add documents.
The two writing samples should demonstrate your ability to provide sound legal advice to a client. The writing samples should be products that were created solely by you. Please include a brief description of the issue/scenario presented, whether the issue was time-sensitive in nature, and what (if any) feedback was received after the advice was provided. In selecting the examples, you may wish to consider providing two different forms – for example, written advice that was provided by email, and advice that was provided in a more formal memorandum format.
The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher, at Julie.Christopher@coag.gov or call 720-508-6511.
For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact Karen Masciulli, Director of Legal Talent, at karen.masciulli@coag.gov
