Job details
$6,550 – $8,200 a month
Full Job Description
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Marijuana, Liquor and Bankruptcy (MLB) Unit is seeking an attorney to join its dynamic and collaborative legal team. Attorneys in the MLB unit address a wide variety of interesting and complex legal issues of significant importance to the State of Colorado, representing the Marijuana and Liquor Enforcement Divisions in the Colorado Department of Revenue.
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.
Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The MLB Unit offers the opportunity to practice in cutting-edge and challenging areas of law. Statutes and regulations governing marijuana and liquor change frequently, and the Unit’s clients require legal advice to adapt and evolve accordingly. The law surrounding statewide regulation of medical and recreational marijuana often involves questions of first impression, conflicts between state and federal law, and a variety of unusual legal and constitutional issues. Liquor regulation presents a unique regulatory landscape involving considerations of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Over the past five years, the Colorado General Assembly has adopted the most sweeping changes to the Colorado Liquor Code since the end of Prohibition, which has led to an increase in the need for legal services. The Unit is also working with the Liquor Enforcement Division to provide legal advice in connection with the creation of a new regulatory program for all cigarette, tobacco product, and nicotine product retailers in Colorado.
The attorney will provide general counsel to the Marijuana and Liquor Enforcement Divisions regarding rulemaking, legislative review, responses to position statements, open records laws, and other aspects of the client agencies’ functions and responsibilities. The attorney will also handle administrative cases from inception through administrative hearing and, where applicable, judicial review. These cases range in complexity from relatively simple to quite complex. For example, the Divisions may seek enforcement action based on underage sales of marijuana or liquor, substantial security and public health violations, or sophisticated corporate and financial schemes intended to allow unauthorized entities and individuals to control licensed businesses. The attorney may also represent the clients in state and federal courts.
In order to qualify for this position, 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.
While at least 3 years of experience is preferred, we welcome applications from more junior-level candidates and from candidates whose diverse experiences and background would add value to the department, our unit’s work, and our clients. For those more junior in experience, we are most interested in those who have had rigorous and substantive legal training, including clerkships and fellowships. And, for all of our candidates, we are interested in seeing most, if not all, of the following skills and attributes
- Interest in learning the substantive areas of law governing marijuana and liquor licensees.
- Some experience in administrative and/or constitutional law and the Colorado legislative process or advising clients on statutory or regulatory interpretations.
- Experience with negotiation and litigation including arguing contested matters at hearing or trial.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and eager to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Passion for producing excellent work product and keen attention to detail.
- Commitment to working collaboratively with a variety of colleagues, clients, and leaders.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Demonstrated interest in public service.
- Experience with federal securities law is helpful but not required.
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.
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
At the Department of Law, 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 equally treated and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce that contributes to creative problem solving and delivers excellent work.
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 including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado 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.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the online applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the online application.
Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and the background and skills you would bring to the role; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) a list of three professional references with contact information. Use the “Attachments” feature of the online application to add documents
If you have questions about your application contact Susie Esparza, [email protected].
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, [email protected] or 720-508-6511.