First Assistant Attorney General - Employment Law Defense Unit.

About the role

The 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
  • Develop 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.
  • Cookordinate 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• First is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law frontline leadership team.
• The strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies:
  • Communication & Listening
  • Flexible & Adaptable Management
  • Coaching & Developing People
  • Creative & Strategic Problem Solving
  • Enterprise & Growth Mindset
  • Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence

Skills

• Strong litigation skills.
• An enterprise perspective.
• A leadership style that promotes accountability, trust, collaboration, professional growth, and exceptional client service.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

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.

Schedule

Not specified.