Assistant General Counsel

State of Oklahoma • Oklahoma City, OK

1d • $110,000

About The Position

Basic Purpose Positions in this job family conduct legal research and provide legal representation and advice to clients in government-related areas of expertise (e.g., oil and gas, public utility, and transportation, regulatory compliance, rulemaking, employment/labor, ethics, health and human services, or other areas of law as may be applicable). Typical Functions Participates or assist in the resolution of employee complaints, disciplinary actions, and appeals through the State's administrative process, other regulatory bodies, or court appeals when required. This may include, but not limited to, complaints or allegations by employees regarding, discrimination, wage and hour disputes, and unemployment Conducts or assists in the enforcement of agency rules, including action taken against licensees when in violation of agency rules Advises agency directors, managers, and other relevant staff on internal employee complaints, administrative, and operational rules, laws, and procedures to include but not limited to agency policy, federal and state personnel laws, and other regulatory mandates required for the agency to conduct business. Prepares or presents letters, memoranda of law, briefs, contracts, pleadings, motions, orders, consent, and other relevant or related documents and pleadings. This may include preparing or presenting appeals to district, civil, supreme, or other court proceedings in writing or orally, to Boards and Commissions and their members, and other court proceedings as directed. Prepares and presents the agency’s case in administrative hearings and trial litigation, pre-trial or pre-hearing conferences, and arguing the agency motion/position before the court, commission, hearing officer, or Administrative Law Judge. Conducts discovery; examines and cross-examines witness, negotiates in support of the agency. Reviews, edits, and approves litigation filings when appropriate. This may be for lower-level attorneys, or litigation that is significant or complex. Mentors or oversees lower-level staff and projects within an assigned area in an effective and professional manner, reviews and provides guidance of cases including cases involving litigation; may recommend or provide training, guidance, motivation, and support of staff Level Descriptor This is the basic level of the job family, where employees are responsible for performing routine entry level legal work in a training status to build their skills related to providing legal counsel. Assignments are prescribed, but the methods are not typically reviewed nor controlled while the work is in progress. Works under the direct supervision of General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Managing Deputy General Counsel, or other supervisory-level Attorney.

Requirements

• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; applicable regulations; constitutional law and the Oklahoma constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; methods and techniques for conducting legal research and writing.
• Skills required include critical thinking; conducting legal research; written and oral communication; Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; attention to detail; sound judgment and decision making.
• Abilities required include presenting statements of fact and law; clearly and logically articulate position in written and oral form; analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures; direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems; conduct legal research on Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, Fastcase, the Oklahoma State Court Network, and printed or internet-based legal resources; meet timelines while following the Oklahoma statutes, and represent the agency in a professional manner.
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• License to practice law in State of Oklahoma
• Membership in Oklahoma Bar Association
• Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct

Responsibilities

• Participates or assist in the resolution of employee complaints, disciplinary actions, and appeals through the State's administrative process, other regulatory bodies, or court appeals when required.
• Conducts or assists in the enforcement of agency rules, including action taken against licensees when in violation of agency rules
• Advises agency directors, managers, and other relevant staff on internal employee complaints, administrative, and operational rules, laws, and procedures
• Prepares or presents letters, memoranda of law, briefs, contracts, pleadings, motions, orders, consent, and other relevant or related documents and pleadings.
• Prepares and presents the agency’s case in administrative hearings and trial litigation, pre-trial or pre-hearing conferences, and arguing the agency motion/position before the court, commission, hearing officer, or Administrative Law Judge.
• Conducts discovery; examines and cross-examines witness, negotiates in support of the agency.
• Reviews, edits, and approves litigation filings when appropriate.
• Mentors or oversees lower-level staff and projects within an assigned area in an effective and professional manner, reviews and provides guidance of cases including cases involving litigation; may recommend or provide training, guidance, motivation, and support of staff

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree