Temporary Attorney

Department Information

Join Colorado?s largest law firm?The Colorado Department of Law is the people's lawyer?protecting democracy, advancing the rule of law, and delivering justice to all Coloradans. We take pride in being principled, public-spirited, innovative, and inclusive.

The Department of Law seeks temporary attorney(s) to assist in meeting immediate workload needs across the organization. This is a unique opportunity to apply for consideration across a range of legal work.

The attorney general has primary authority for enforcement of consumer protection and state antitrust laws, prosecution of criminal appeals and certain complex white-collar crimes, training and certification of peace officers, and many natural resource and environmental matters. Learn more about our sections and their impact here.

If you're passionate about serving the public and making an impact, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of Colorado law.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
Temporary Assistant Attorney General provides legal advice, counsel, and representation to officials, agencies, boards, and commissions of the State government. The Temporary Assistant Attorney General typically reports directly to and is supervised by a First Assistant Attorney General.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Litigation Duties:

• Prosecute and/or defend criminal and civil litigation in which a State agency, employee, administrator, or elected official is involved.

• Defend the State in tort cases, including negotiation and all stages of litigation through appeals.

• Work with and assist District Attorneys, managing settlement funds, directing assigned clerical workers, paralegals, and investigators.

2. Administrative Procedure Duties:

• Prosecute and/or defend Administrative Procedures Act quasi-judicial matters.

• Assist agencies with preparations for hearings, including notice preparation, compliance with notice requirements, witness preparation, and presentation of the agency?s position.

• Represent State agencies at administrative hearings and rule-making proceedings at both State and Federal levels, ensuring compliance with notice and procedural requirements.

• Handle appeals and judicial review processes.

3. Advisory Duties:

• Provide legal advice (oral and written) to State agencies and attorneys, including preparing drafts for official Attorney General opinions.

4. Administrative Duties:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, leases, deeds, easements, permits, licenses, and other legal instruments for State agencies.

• Review and draft legislation and regulations, assessing agency authority, legislative history, and potential implications of proposed rules and legislation.

• Appear before legislative committees when required.

• Participate in multi-state cases and conduct training seminars.

5. Lead Duties:

• Lead and supervise secretaries, paralegals, and investigators.

• Occasionally monitor or assist less experienced attorneys.

Assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department, offering exposure to diverse legal work.

This hiring may accommodate multiple candidates, working concurrently across various matters to support the organization's workload.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong skills in legal research, case management, investigatory procedures, and discovery.

• Knowledge of open meetings laws and broad areas of law.
• Experience in trial work in both State and Federal courts.

• Ability to draft proposed rules and legislation, prepare legal briefs, and pleadings.

• Expertise in working with expert witnesses and managing case loads.

• Strong judgment, confidentiality, and analytical skills.

• Ability to direct clerical, paralegal, and investigative staff.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with State officials, administrators, opposing attorneys, courts, and colleagues within the Department of Law.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

• License to practice law in Colorado, or eligibility to waive into the Colorado Bar.

Qualified applicants must either be licensed to practice law in Colorado or eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. If you are eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar, you will be required to submit proof of your completed application before your first day of employment.

• Strong Writing Skills: Ability to draft clear, concise, well-written, and persuasive legal documents.

• Excellent Interpersonal Skills: Capable of building relationships with clients, staff, and the public.

• Exceptional Communication Skills: Must be able to effectively convey legal concepts and advice both verbally and in writing.

• Matter Management Skills: Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work effectively in a collaborative environment.

• Experience in litigation, administrative law, or government practice is helpful but not required.

As a Temporary Attorney, you will regularly interact with clients, colleagues, and members of the public. A commitment to building effective and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders is essential.

• 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 visit the Colorado Supreme Court?s Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.

• The Department of Law offers the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule, which will vary depending on the work unit. Please note that flexible work arrangements may change based on business needs.

• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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 Department of Law, 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:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
• Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
• Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
• Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.