Assistant Attorney General – Human Services
The Human Services Unit within the State Services section is seeking two attorneys to join its dynamic and collaborative legal team. The Unit advises the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), and the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Our attorneys engage in high-impact, complex legal work across a broad range of subject areas, appearing before federal, state and administrative courts. Many matters involved novel legal questions with statewide and, at times, national implications.
The statutes and regulations governing CDHS, CDEC and the BHA directly affect and have a substantial impact on Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens. This position offers attorneys a meaningful opportunity to advance justice, equity, and public service through their legal practice, and is best suited for an attorney with strong communication skills, exemplary legal writing and analytical abilities, a desire to advocate for the populations served by our client agencies who enjoys working collaboratively while taking ownership of complex matters, and strategic thinking and the ability to develop and execute effective litigation strategy.
WHO WE ARE
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the “People’s Lawyer.” The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State’s chief legal representative and serves as legal counsel to all state executive and judicial agencies, departments, boards, and commissions. Our vision for the Department of Law is: “Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all.” Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General’s Office here.
Responsibilities
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Attorneys in this role often:
- Litigate before federal and state district courts and the Office of Administrative Courts.
- Defend findings of child abuse, neglect, and adult mistreatment made by county human services departments.
- Prosecute licensing actions against childcare providers and substance abuse disorder treatment or behavioral health providers for violation of state regulations and applicable state statutes.
- Defend the departments against civil complaints seeking injunctive relief.
- Handle cases involving constitutional challenges, anti-discrimination laws, and other high-impact legal questions with important legal ramifications and state-wide or national impact.
Other cases involve issues related to public benefits and child support services, care and treatment of individuals living with developmental disabilities or mental health disorders, child welfare, and juvenile justice.
Advisory and Policy Work
In addition to litigation, attorneys routinely provide general counsel to CDHS, CDEC and the BHA, including:
- Advising on rulemaking and legislative matters
- Responding to records requests and subpoenas
- Conducting legal research and drafting guidance/advice on diverse and complex legal issues.
Cases and assignments are diverse and may arise from any division across all departments, offering attorneys a broad and intellectually engaging practice. There are opportunities to collaborate with other units and sections within the office, expanding both subject-matter expertise and professional development.
Qualifications
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Human Services unit is seeking experienced, confident, and adaptable attorneys who are passionate about public service and want to be a part of a collaborative and supportive team. Ideal candidates will have enough litigation experience to jump in and manage their own caseload, assess problems, research novel state and federal issues, evaluate and identify solutions, effectively communicate those solutions and be comfortable representing clients in hearings.
Candidates must be licensed to practice law in Colorado or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment.
In addition, the best candidates will possess the following skills and attributes:
- Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Experience litigating complex matters in district courts and/or administrative courts.
- Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills.
- Interest in working on cases that involve children, vulnerable adults and emotionally challenging subject matters.
Some knowledge in the following areas is beneficial: administrative, juvenile, child welfare, behavioral health, privacy law, open records law, special education law, constitutional law, and appellate law.
Please note: Litigation experience does not need to be limited to formal criminal or civil proceedings, but please describe your litigation and subject matter experience in your cover letter.
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.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one attorney position within the State Services section, Human Services unit at the Department of Law.
Application Process
Link to full job posting and to formally apply:
