Job Posting: Assistant Attorney General – Social & Health Services Division, Behavioral Health Section, Tumwater (Olympia, WA)

Reid Peck

2 weeks ago

Salary

$74,520 – 139,572

Information about the position

The Behavioral Health Forensic and Behavioral Health Civil Sections are growing again. The Sections provide legal representation to the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, including the Special Commitment Center (SCC), The Office of Forensic Mental Health Services and Western State Hospital (WSH). The Behavioral Health Administration has recently opened new facilities for involuntary commitment in King County and Thurston County and has plans to open additional facilities across the State. These new positions will be part of the team that provides representation to those facilities.

This is an opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated attorney to work in a collegial, fast-paced work environment and to develop skills in state and federal litigation, civil rights law and state jury trials. With some emphasis on institutional, involuntary commitment and health law, our practice assists clients in striking the right balance between effective mental health treatment, personal rights, and the public welfare. This is a challenging but rewarding legal practice in a team of tight-knit colleagues.

This AAG position will perform a variety of work, which, depending on experience, may include:

* Handling civil commitment hearings – both bench and jury trials – in State Courts (currently Pierce, Thurston and King, with planned expansion to other counties);

* Representation of BHA in federal and state litigation concerning Civil Rights Issues and the conditions of confinement at BHA facilities;

* Handling contempt hearings in state and municipal courts in western Washington; Representing the SCC’s interest in state court SVP commitment cases throughout the state;

* Providing client advice to senior managers at the SCC on issues ranging from constitutional law to real estate practice;

* Providing client advice to BHA facilities on issues ranging from health care, federal financial reimbursement, constitutional law, and patient rights;

* Handling guardianship cases in state courts; Handling public records litigation in state courts; Handling appeals in both state and federal courts; and

* Assisting on federal class action and/or complex litigation.

This full-time position is located in Tumwater, WA and involves travel, mostly to Pierce County, but also to courthouses throughout western Washington. Currently, many courts are allowing appearances via zoom or other means for remote appearance, but you may occasionally attend court in-person at the court’s discretion.

Apply Here!