First Assistant Attorney General - Employment Law Defense Unit

First Assistant Attorney General - Employment Law Defense Unit

Salary

$143,664.00 - $192,151.00 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

LAA-09018-07/2026

Department

Department of Law

Division

Civil Litigation & Employment Law

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

8/4/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

1300 Broadway, Denver CO 80203

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Vanessa Rhea: vanessa.rhea@coag.gov

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

The Colorado Department of Law's Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is launching a new Employment Law Defense Unit and seeks a First Assistant Attorney General to build and lead it. The successful candidate will assemble the team, establish its culture and systems, and help define how the State of Colorado handles employment litigation in state and federal court.

The First AAG will lead a small, highly collaborative team of attorneys, a paralegal, and a shared administrative assistant responsible for complex and consequential employment litigation involving state agencies, institutions of higher education, and public employees. The position will combine hands-on litigation, strategic case oversight, client counseling, team development, and the practical work of standing up a new unit-including creating effective intake, assignment, case-management, and quality-control systems.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to define what excellent state and federal employment litigation defense practice looks like across state government. The role requires sound judgment, strong litigation skills, an enterprise perspective, and a leadership style that promotes accountability, trust, collaboration, professional growth, and exceptional client service.

The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a collegial environment supported by leadership committed to outstanding general counsel and litigation service.

Application will be reviewed, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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 lawyer and law enforcement official. 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.

Description of Job

The Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section

The Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section represents state agencies, institutions of higher education, and state officials and employees in civil litigation and employment matters. Its attorneys handle a broad range of complex and high-impact matters in state and federal courts and administrative forums, provide strategic legal advice to clients throughout state government, and work collaboratively across specialized units to deliver consistent, practical, and high-quality legal services.

The Employment Law Defense Unit

The Employment Law Defense Unit is a newly created team dedicated to defending state agencies, institutions of higher education, and public employees in state and federal employment litigation. The Unit will provide centralized ownership, strategy, and accountability for this growing practice area while collaborating closely with attorneys in the Employment Practices and Civil Rights, Tort Litigation, Cross-Unit Litigation, Higher Education, and other units throughout the office.

The Unit's work will include claims arising under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, whistleblower statutes, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, and 1985, and related contract, constitutional, and tort theories. The Unit will handle matters from pre-suit assessment and early case strategy through discovery, dispositive motions, trial, appeal, and settlement.

At launch, the Unit will consist of the First AAG, two Assistant Attorneys General, a paralegal and an administrative assistant, with the potential to expand the team in the future. The Unit will also coordinate with affiliated attorneys in other units who handle or support employment matters and want to deepen their state and federal litigation experience. The First AAG will report to the Deputy Attorney General for the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section and participate in Section and Department leadership meetings.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As the First AAG, you will have a rare opportunity to build a new litigation unit from the ground up while remaining actively engaged in the practice. Responsibilities will include:

Build and Lead the Unit

• Develop and implement the Unit's operating model, including systems for intake, triage, case assignment, staffing, workload monitoring, litigation planning, quality control, knowledge management, and escalation of significant risk.
• Build a strong, inclusive, and accountable team culture grounded in collaboration, candid communication, sound judgment, professional excellence, and public service.
• Lead, supervise, coach, and evaluate attorneys and professional staff, including setting clear expectations, providing timely feedback, supporting professional development, and addressing performance concerns directly and constructively.
• Coordinate effectively with affiliated attorneys and leaders across the Department so that employment litigation is staffed strategically and attorneys outside the Unit can continue to contribute and develop relevant expertise.
• Make hiring recommendations, approve leave, address personnel and operational matters, and perform other management responsibilities associated with leading a Department of Law unit.

Direct and Handle Employment Litigation

• Provide strategic oversight of the Unit's docket and ensure that each matter has clear ownership, an early case assessment, a litigation plan, an appropriate staffing model, and meaningful client communication.
• Advise attorneys and litigation teams on pleadings, discovery, experts, dispositive motions, trial strategy, appeals, settlement, and other significant case decisions.
• Personally handle a meaningful portfolio of employment litigation, with the scope of that portfolio calibrated to the Unit's leadership and supervisory demands.
• Lead or support high-risk, high-profile, novel, or especially complex matters, including matters requiring coordination with senior Department leadership, the Governor's Office, Risk Management, the State Controller, or outside counsel.
• Promote consistent litigation positions, efficient practices, and high-quality written and oral advocacy across the State's employment-defense portfolio.

Serve Clients and Strengthen the Statewide Practice

• Build trusted relationships with agency and higher-education leaders, general counsel, human-resources professionals, and other client representatives.
• Provide practical, candid, and strategic advice regarding litigation risk, settlement, institutional impact, and opportunities for early resolution.
• Partner with the Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit and other counsel to connect lessons from litigation with preventative advice, training, and improved employment practices.
• Develop templates, playbooks, training, metrics, and other resources that improve consistency, efficiency, and practice excellence.
• Monitor legal, legislative, and operational developments affecting state employment litigation and help the Department respond strategically.
• As needed, select, supervise, and evaluate outside counsel and ensure cost-effective, coordinated representation.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law section at the Department of Law.

Salary Note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The First is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law frontline leadership team. As such, the strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies.

Communication & Listening - Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff.

Flexible & Adaptable Management - Accepts, adapts, and contributes positively to change; leads with new concepts and ideas; and encourages others to be equally adaptive and flexible.

Coaching & Developing People - Invests in our talent through coaching and sponsorship and by pushing individuals outside of their comfort zones to grow as professionals.

Creative & Strategic Problem Solving - Takes a result-oriented, open-minded, and innovative approach to overcoming challenges and dealing with crises.

Enterprise & Growth Mindset - Balances the goals of clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise.

Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence - Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with clients, colleagues, and staff.

Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General position must meet the following criteria:

• Admitted to the Colorado bar or 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.
• Experience either supervising, leading, or mentoring other legal staff, including attorneys and paralegals.
• Demonstrated litigation experience sufficient to oversee and personally handle complex state and federal court matters.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• First-chair or comparable lead responsibility in complex civil litigation.
• Experience managing a litigation portfolio and advising other attorneys on case strategy and risk.
• Prior formal supervisory or management experience.
• Experience representing governmental entities, public institutions, or public officials and employees.
• Knowledge of the Colorado state personnel system, governmental immunity, public-sector employment, or state risk-management and settlement processes.
• Experience developing litigation systems, training, templates, metrics, or other practice-management tools.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE "HOW TO APPLY" SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• 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.
• 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 website.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the on-line applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the on-line application.

Required Application Materials: Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter explaining their interest in building and leading the Employment Law Defense Unit and describing their relevant litigation and leadership experience; 2) a resume; and 3) a writing sample; and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.

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, dental and vision 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.

ADAAA Requests

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 hr@coag.gov.

For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov.

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

To apply, you must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. Failure to attach these documents may result in your application not being considered. Please confirm that you have attached the required documents.

• Yes
• No

02

Please provide your bar registration number, state(s) in which you hold a license, and bar date. Assistant Attorneys General in the Colorado Department of Law 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.

03

Describe your experience leading complex employment litigation. Identify the types of matters you handled, your level of responsibility, and the phases of litigation in which you were personally involved.

04

Describe a time you led people through significant change, uncertainty, or the creation of a new process or team. What did you do, what challenges arose, and what did you learn?

05

Describe your experience coaching, mentoring, or supervising attorneys or professional staff. How do you create accountability while supporting growth and maintaining trust?

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/