Second Assistant Attorney General (Employment Practices & Civil Rights Unit)

Second Assistant Attorney General (Employment Practices & Civil Rights Unit)

Salary

$130,307.00 - $188,945.00 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

LAA-09318-07/2026

Department

Department of Law

Division

Civil Litigation & Employment Law

Opening Date

07/07/2026

Closing Date

7/28/2026 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.

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.

Department Contact Information

If you have questions about your application contact Vanessa Rhea, vanessa.rhea@coag.gov. Questions about this position and Assistant Attorney General opportunities with the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law can be directed to our Legal Talent Director at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

The Civil Litigation and Employment Section has a unique leadership opportunity for an experienced attorney with a passion for employment and labor law in the Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit. This position serves in a unique role as a working-manager who oversees a collaborative team of paralegal and attorney staff. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with various state agencies and institutions of higher education on unique labor and state personnel issues and to form lasting and rewarding client relationships in a position with frequent client interaction. The attorney will serve as an advisor and litigator focusing primarily on employment and labor work, with some civil rights work, based on unit and client needs. This dynamic group is looking for a person interested in employment and labor law who also has a passion for mentoring and professional development of team members.

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted prior to the job closing. We encourage you submit your application early if 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

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Second Assistant Attorney General works closely with the Unit's two other Second Assistant Attorneys General and the Unit's First Assistant Attorney General to manage the Unit's workflow, streamline advice and litigation matters, and implement processes and protocols that ensure high quality, consistent work product and client services. The role also provides leadership and supervision to teams of attorneys and paralegals. This position focuses primarily on employment and labor law, the state personnel system, and civil rights matters. It serves as the primary point of contact for client agencies and institutions of higher education on employment-related advice and litigation. This vacancy offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Second Assistant Attorney General will work closely with the Unit's First Assistant Attorney General to oversee key administrative functions, supervise a team (pod) of attorneys and paralegals, provide leadership and coaching, and manage the Unit's workflow to ensure consistent, high-quality work product and client services.

Duties include:

Client Services

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned client agencies and institutions of higher education, as determined in consultation with the First Assistant AG. Maintain regular communication with these clients to build strong relationships and develop subject-matter expertise in their personnel-related needs. Consult with Unit attorneys and paralegals on advice and litigation matters involving assigned clients.
• Provide support and guidance to the paralegal managing the Unit's employment advice inbox, including assisting with the review of incoming advice requests and helping to assign matters to attorneys based on capacity, experience, and interest.
• Provide oversight of advice matters and litigation before the State Personnel Board, matters arising out of the collective bargaining agreement with the state's classified union, and state and federal court litigation. Promote collaboration and consistency across the Unit by engaging in cross-pod coordination.

Unit Leadership

• Provide assistance and support to the First AAG on an as-needed basis, including matters involving unit operations, work performed by third parties and outside counsel, and advice matters and policy work.
• Identify high-risk and complex litigation and provide appropriate supervision, support, and co-counsel as necessary.
• Develop, implement, and maintain formal onboarding programs and ongoing training practices for attorneys and professional staff.
• Collaborate with the First AAG and the other Second AAGs to develop and manage a centralized database of resources, including experts
• Working closely with the First AAG, the other Second AAGs, the Unit's professional staff, leadership within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law, the Section Litigation Manager, and other Department of Law personnel to develop templates, systems, and processes that enhance efficiency, streamline litigation, enhance client services, and promote practice excellence.
• Provide quality-control assistance to the First AAG and the other Second AAGs through substantive review of attorney work product.
• Provide guidance, strategic advice, feedback, and general litigation support to attorneys and paralegals across the Unit as necessary.
• Assist the First AAG and other Second AAGs in identifying trends, issues, and opportunities related to the Unit's operations, management, and legal practice.

Individual Support & Coaching

• Maintain a broad yet substantive understanding of each pod member's caseload, track pending cases and matters, and support pod members in effectively and successfully managing their work.
• Provide coaching and support to the pod while identifying opportunities for growth and development. Promote continuous improvement of individual and pod-level work product, practice skills, teamwork, collaboration, and performance.
• Organize regular pod meetings and work individually with attorneys and paralegals to: (1) monitor case progress, (2) ensure deadlines are met, 3) identify opportunities to improve case management and general practice, (4) determine whether additional resources are needed, and (5) provide support tailored to each attorney and paralegal's needs and goals.
• Work with the First AAG and other Second AAGs to monitor attorney and paralegal case loads.
• Collaborate with the First AAG and other Second AAGs to provide guidance in litigation and advice matters and assist in developing litigation plans as necessary.
• Manage the progression of cases and ensure that critical deadlines are met.

The Department of Law may fill additional attorney positions from this recruitment.

Salary note: Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidates 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

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.
• Possess at least five (5) years of relevant experience as a practicing attorney. Preferred experience includes litigation, general counsel, or other legal experience with substantial depth in administrative, labor, or employment law.
• Experience either supervising, leading, or mentoring other legal staff, including attorneys and paralegals.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have the following skills and attributes:

• Prior management or supervisory experience leading a diverse workforce.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a leader.
• Knowledge of the state personnel system.
• Outstanding writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety and diversity of personalities.
• Ability to lead with empathy and be a big-picture problem solver.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and/or have prior public sector or public service experience.
• Ability to model strong leadership and professionalism skills.
• Strong organizational and client management skills.
• Demonstrated experience litigating complex cases.
• Ability to recognize critical issues and when to elevate those issues.

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.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time 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.
• 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 is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

Supplemental Information

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. Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents. Applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. If you have questions about your application, contact Vanessa Rhea at vanessa.rhea@coag.gov.

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.

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 comprehensiveState of Colorado benefits packageincluding competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans withColorado 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.

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. Applicants 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

The 2nd AAG position serves as the primary point of contact for multiple client agencies and institutions of higher education. How will your strengths and skills allow you to make a positive impact with our clients as a 2nd AAG?

04

Do you have supervisory or other experience leading a team? If so, please describe.

05

Please describe how you might apply your skills, experiences, and strengths to lead and supervise a pod of attorneys and professional staff.

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/