The Tort Litigation Unit engages in litigation on tort, civil rights, and employment tort claims. The Unit provides representation to Colorado’s Office of Risk Management, institutions of higher education and all state agencies and employees sued in state and federal court for damages in tort, under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and under federal and state employment statutes. The Unit’s attorneys also provide legal advice, counsel, training, and investigation support to help our clients understand and minimize exposure to liability for personal injury, civil rights, and employment claims.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Defend a wide variety of claims and lawsuits, including personal injury accidents, alleged civil rights, and employment law violations, and state and federal constitutional claims;
- Provide legal advice to the State Office of Risk Management, agencies, and institutions of higher education;
- Perform all aspects of litigation: an active motions practice, discovery, preparing witnesses for hearing and trial, filing prehearing documents, trying cases in both state and federal court, and briefing and arguing appeals before the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court, and the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals; and
- Work collaboratively with litigators and general counsel with the Colorado Attorney General’s office.
Responsibilities
9
Qualifications
To be qualified 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 before the first day of employment. We are looking for a teammate who has excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills; who thrives on and helps foster a collaborative and friendly work environment, yet who also can effectively work independently. The strongest candidates will also have:
- a minimum of five years of civil litigation experience in state and/or federal court;
- knowledge of and experience with employment law, including litigating employment discrimination and retaliation claims
- some knowledge of and experience with government-specific defenses such as the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, Eleventh Amendment immunity, qualified immunity, and absolute judicial immunity;
- a strong skillset in communicating orally, in writing, and in legal analysis;
- ability to develop and implement a strong litigation strategy; and
- a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service.
The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal-opportunity employer and believe that a diverse workforce adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to the appointment.
-
Effective August 15, 2022, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within three (3) business days of hire. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. In the event of serial testing, religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.
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. A cover letter detailing your interest in the position and your specific experience with litigation; employment discrimination and retaliation claims; and/or with government-specific defenses such as the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, Eleventh Amendment immunity, qualified immunity, and absolute judicial immunity. Please also include a resume, a writing sample, and three professional references are required. Use the “Attachments” feature of the online application to add documents. For more information regarding this opportunity and how to apply, follow this link.
