Assistant Attorney General - Corrections
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Assistant Attorney General - Corrections
Salary
$88,197.00 - $136,558.00 Annually
Location
Denver, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
LAA-09850-04/2026
Department
Department of Law
Division
Civil Litigation & Employment Law
Opening Date
04/01/2026
Closing Date
4/15/2026 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!
Shape Constitutional Law. Litigate at a High Level. Serve the Public.
The Colorado Department of Law is seeking a skilled civil litigator to join the Corrections Unit-a practice at the intersection of constitutional law, federal litigation, and public service.
Attorneys in this role lead high-impact civil rights and constitutional cases in federal and state courts on behalf of the Colorado Department of Corrections and Parole. The work is intellectually demanding, writing-intensive, and strategically sophisticated-comparable in rigor and responsibility to federal government and leading litigation practices.
This position offers a rare combination:
Meaningful responsibility on complex cases, including opportunities for first-chair experience
Extensive dispositive motion and appellate briefing opportunities
Direct client advisory work on consequential legal issues
A sustainable, team-oriented environment with a predictable workload and flexibility not typically found in private practice
If you are a litigator who values precision in writing, depth in analysis, and purpose in your work - and are looking for a sustainable, high-level litigation practice - this role offers a compelling next step.
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 (https://coag.gov/) .
Description of Job
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Corrections Unit handles complex litigation involving constitutional, statutory, and civil rights claims against the State and the Department of Corrections.
This is a briefing-heavy, strategy-driven litigation practice where attorneys are entrusted with significant responsibility and autonomy.
You will:
Lead litigation involving 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and constitutional claims (First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments)
Handle ADA, RLUIPA, and habeas corpus matters
Draft and argue dispositive motions in federal and state courts
Prepare substantive briefs, including summary judgment and appellate filings
Conduct rigorous legal research on complex constitutional and statutory issues
Develop litigation strategy and oversee targeted, high-value discovery as part of strategic case development
Build evidentiary records for hearings, appeals, and potential trial
Present oral argument in trial and appellate courts
Advise clients and agency leadership on legal issues affecting policy, operations, and compliance
Collaborate with experienced litigators across the Department on significant matters
Success in this role is driven by analytical rigor, exceptional writing, and sound litigation judgment. If you want to do interesting constitutional litigation in a team-oriented environment in which you have significant control over your own cases, but with plentiful support from your colleagues, then this job is for you.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section at 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.
Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). Effective July 1, 2025, the salary range for an AAG I is $88,197-$117,964/annually.
Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). Effective July 1, 2025, the AAG II salary range is $102,099 - $136,558/annually.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualified 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 and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. 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 CourtOffice of Attorney Regulation Counsel (https://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/index.asp) website.
We are seeking attorneys who have developed substantial responsibility in civil litigation, particularly in writing and motion practice.
Core Qualifications
Experience drafting dispositive motions or substantive briefs
Experience managing or contributing meaningfully to civil discovery
Strong analytical, research, and writing skills
Ability to manage complex litigation with appropriate independence
Sound judgment and effective client-advisory skills
Candidates typically bring 4-8 years of experience, though we strongly encourage applications from candidates who may have fewer years of experience who have exceptional credentials.
We recognize that strong litigation skills are developed through a variety of professional paths. Candidates with non-traditional backgrounds or experiences that demonstrate strong writing, analytical ability, and case development skills are encouraged to apply.
Targeted Experience (Strongly Encouraged)
We are particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds such as:
Federal or state appellate or district court clerkships
Litigation practices with significant writing responsibility
Government litigation experience
Experience with federal civil procedure and motion practice
Clerkship experience is especially valued for the analytical rigor and writing discipline it develops. Candidates transitioning from private practice will find opportunities for greater ownership, more frequent courtroom experience, and meaningful public impact.
If your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed but you believe you would bring strong analytical and writing skills to this role, we encourage you to apply.
The Ideal Candidate
Produces clear, precise, and persuasive legal writing
Enjoys developing complex legal arguments and litigation strategy
Is comfortable operating in a federal litigation environment
Exercises independent judgment while collaborating effectively
Is motivated by public service and institutional impact
This role is particularly well suited for litigators who value substantive briefing and legal analysis at the highest level.
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 workforce 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 CourtOffice of Attorney Regulation Counsel (https://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/index.asp) 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(preferably a dispositive motion or substantive brief), 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 comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/) including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA (https://www.copera.org/members/retirement-benefits) , and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) : 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 agency's 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 (preferably a dispositive motion or substantive brief), 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.
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
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Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
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