AAG - Children, Youth, and Families Division's Juvenile Lit. Section, Tumwater

Assistant Attorney General – Juvenile Litigation Section (CYF Division)

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team . Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1‑800‑676‑3777 or visit

All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office serve a crucial role in protecting the state, its people, and resources. The AGO is composed of diverse, collegial, and supremely talented legal professionals committed to public service.

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits, retirement plans, and life and basic long‑term disability insurance
• Vacation, sick, military and civil leave, and paid holidays
• Transparent salary schedule – AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996, in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA
• The AGO will pay general bar dues for attorneys assigned on or before January 31 per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• Formal AAG mentoring and training programs
• Health and wellness program
• Recognition for excellence in training and career development

The Children, Youth, and Families Division (CYF) consists of the Juvenile Litigation (JUV) Section and the Program Advice and Litigation (PAL) Section. The JUV Section represents the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in juvenile litigation cases. This full‑time position is located in Tumwater and involves travel to other nearby counties.

The JUV Section provides legal representation to DCYF in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The role involves frequent in‑person court appearances, contested shelter‑care hearings, dependency fact‑findings, and termination‑of‑parent‑rights trials.

Duties include:

• Appear in court (weekly) and conduct trials
• Strategize and develop legal arguments
• Settle cases or litigate to trial
• Provide training to DCYF social workers and AGO colleagues
• Travel to courts in Thurston, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, and Pacific counties, and appellate courts

Required:

• Graduated from an ABA‑accredited law school or completed the WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program
• Licensed to practice law in Washington State (or actively pursuing admission)

Desirable:

• Ability to juggle competing priorities and emergent issues
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Desire to litigate and be in the courtroom
• Passion for child welfare
• Flexibility and empathy to handle challenging subject matter

Interested applicants must apply by clicking the apply button. Upload the following documents as PDFs:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy acceptable) with date of degree conferred
• Writing sample (10 pages or less)

For questions before applying, contact Section Chief Margaret Mac Rae at 360‑999‑7748 or margaret.macrae.gov, or Division Chief Carrie Wayno at 360‑586‑6498 or Carrie.

Wayno.gov.

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, veteran status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation may contact the recruitment team . The AGO also encourages and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E‑Verify system. Therefore, it is not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).