ATTORNEY II

State of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The WCC Attorney II will represent Arkansas state agencies and PECD in administrative hearings before the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission, the Arkansas Court of Appeals, and the Arkansas Supreme Court, and other state courts as required. The Attorney Specialist maintains a caseload and is responsible for all legal aspects of the cases assigned to him or her. The Attorney II provides legal assistance to the Director, Managing Attorney, and other AID and PECD personnel as needed. Attorney II conducts legal research and analysis as needed. Attorney II provides assistance to PECD personnel on claim issues involving legal analysis and opinion. This position requires on-site employment with no remote or hybrid options available. 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.Primary ResponsibilitiesProvide 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.

Requirements

Must be licensed as an Attorney in the State of Arkansas.
Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, plus two years of experience as an Attorney.
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

Experience with Arkansas workers’ compensation law and claims administration.
Experience with using Microsoft Office.
Previous experience in a law office or legal setting.

Responsibilities

Provides legal support to the Director, Managing Attorney, and other AID and PECD personnel as needed.
Handles legal cases assigned and represents Arkansas state agencies and PECD in administrative hearings and conferences before the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Schedules and conducts depositions as necessary.
Provides legal research to the Director, Managing Attorney, and other AID and PECD personnel as needed.
Schedules events on the Legal calendar and makes changes as needed.
Filing and maintenance of Legal files.
Writes legal briefs, motions and other pleadings to support arguments to facilitate the mediation/litigation process.
Attend mediation conferences as needed.
Occasional to frequent in-state travel to attend meetings, depositions, and hearings is required.
Performs other duties as assigned.