ATTORNEY II

State of Arkansas•Fayetteville, AR

8d•$85,943 - $127,195•Onsite

About The Position

The Attorney II is a mid-level legal professional within the state government, responsible for providing legal counsel, conducting legal research, drafting documents, and representing the agency in administrative and judicial proceedings. This position builds upon the foundational legal knowledge of Attorney I by requiring more independent decision-making, case management, and complex legal analysis. CLO Attorneys represent the Department in child maltreatment investigations, child welfare proceedings, foster care issues, adult protective services cases, and public guardianship cases. This position is for child welfare/foster care proceedings and adult protective cases. This position covers Sebastian County. CLO attorneys review affidavits, prepare court pleadings, prepare the clients for court, represent the agency in court, and prepare court orders. The attorney helps ensure all federal IV-E timelines are met and that the appropriate findings are made in court to draw down those funds.

Requirements

Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, plus two years of experience as an Attorney.
Must be licensed as an Attorney in the State of Arkansas.
Strong understanding of Arkansas state laws, administrative regulations, and judicial procedures.
Advanced legal research skills, with proficiency in using legal databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase).
Ability to draft and review legal documents, contracts, and policy statements with precision.
Experience with litigation, case management, and dispute resolution processes.
Ability to assess complex legal matters and develop sound legal strategies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey legal concepts to various stakeholders.
Capacity to provide strategic legal advice and anticipate legal risks.
Ability to manage multiple legal matters and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to advocate for the agency’s interests while working toward fair resolutions.

Nice To Haves

OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Responsibilities

Provide legal guidance to state agencies, boards, and commissions on matters of compliance, policy implementation, and statutory interpretation.
Review and analyze proposed legislation, administrative rules, and agency policies for legal sufficiency.
Interpret state and federal laws, court decisions, and regulatory changes that impact agency operations.
Prepare and present cases in administrative hearings, state courts, and appellate proceedings.
Assist in defending or prosecuting claims on behalf of the state.
Develop legal arguments, draft pleadings, and participate in discovery processes.
Represent the agency in settlement negotiations, mediation, and arbitration when applicable.
Conduct in-depth legal research on statutory, regulatory, and constitutional issues.
Draft legal memoranda, contracts, interagency agreements, and official opinions.
Review and approve agency contracts, procurement agreements, and administrative decisions to ensure compliance with state laws.
Advise agencies on ethics, administrative law, public records, and employment-related legal issues.
Assist in developing and implementing regulatory policies to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
Monitor and evaluate court rulings, attorney general opinions, and legislative changes that affect agency procedures.
Review affidavits, prepare court pleadings, prepare the clients for court, represent the agency in court, and prepare court orders.
Ensure all federal IV-E timelines are met and that the appropriate findings are made in court to draw down those funds.