Responsibilities

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The  MLB Unit offers the opportunity to practice in cutting-edge and challenging areas of law representing the following Divisions of the Colorado Department of Revenue: Marijuana Enforcement, Natural Medicine, Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement, and Firearms Dealer. The MLB Unit is a dynamic and collaborative group as statutes and regulations governing regulated marijuana, natural medicine, liquor, tobacco retailers and firearm dealers change frequently.

This attorney will primarily handle administrative licensing actions from inception through administrative hearing, exceptions (administrative appeal) and judicial review, for the Marijuana, Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement, Natural Medicine and Firearm Dealer Divisions. Administrative licensing actions include denials of applications for a license required to operate a regulated liquor business, tobacco retailer, marijuana business, natural medicine business or firearm dealer and disciplinary actions based on alleged violations of the statutes and rules that govern these highly regulated businesses. Administrative cases range in complexity from relatively simple to complex. For example, the Marijuana and Liquor Enforcement Divisions may seek enforcement action based on underage sales of liquor, tobacco or marijuana, substantial security and public health violations, violations of mandatory marijuana testing requirements, licensee disqualification based on failure to pay taxes, or sophisticated corporate and financial schemes intended to allow unauthorized entities and individuals to control licensed businesses. The Natural Medicine and Firearm Dealer programs involve application denials, alleged violations of statutes and rules while licensed, or unlicensed operators acting outside the regulated industry. The attorney will also represent the divisions in state and federal courts as needed.

The attorney will be part of a team that represents the state in the matters described above but will be expected to take primary responsibility for the attorney’s own cases, with increasing responsibilities over time.

The attorney’s responsibilities may also include any of the following:

• Independently handle litigation, negotiation, hearings, and exceptions (administrative appeal) of cases on behalf of clients represented by the Unit;
• Litigate matters that require immediate action including license suspensions; 
• Seek injunction relief in Colorado District Courts to enforce the licensure requirements against unlicensed persons engaged in licensed activities; and
• Provide training to DOL attorneys and/or client representatives and staff.

The attorneys on our team represent our clients’ interests in a variety of settings, including licensure and disciplinary actions. The position is primarily an administrative law practice, as well as some practice in Colorado District Court and the Court of Appeals. Our work also involves advising clients in all aspects of their regulatory functions and responsibilities, including assisting with the promulgation of rules.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an attorney who is: 1) interested in litigation; 2) eager to work in a supportive multi-disciplinary team; and 3) motivated to do work that directly impacts the lives of Coloradans.