ATTORNEY III

State of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

22h•$114,390 - $169,298

About The Position

The Attorney III is a senior-level legal professional in the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. The role handles complex legal matters, provides expert counsel, leads litigation, and advises state agencies on significant regulatory and policy issues. It requires substantial legal experience, independent decision-making, and management of high-stakes cases and legal projects. The position provides legal advice to agency leadership, boards, and commissions; reviews and drafts legal documents and policies; develops strategies to mitigate legal risk; and serves as a subject matter expert. It also represents agencies in litigation and administrative proceedings, negotiates settlements, conducts legal research, supports legislation and rulemaking, and advises on ethics, open records, procurement, and governmental operations. The Attorney III mentors junior legal staff, leads training, and collaborates with government officials and external counsel. The role requires a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, at least five years of relevant experience, and an active license to practice law in Arkansas. Other related education or experience may be substituted for some basic requirements with approval, except for licensure requirements. The role is based in Pulaski County, Arkansas. The salary range is $114,390–$169,298, with an anticipated starting salary of $114,390.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
At least five years of experience in litigation, regulatory compliance, governmental legal services, or a related field.
Must be licensed as an Attorney in the State of Arkansas.
Advanced knowledge of Arkansas state laws, administrative procedures, and regulatory frameworks.
Strong legal research skills and proficiency in legal databases.
Experience in trial advocacy, case management, and appellate practice.
Ability to draft and review contracts, memoranda, and legal policies with high attention to detail.
Strong negotiation skills for settlements, contract negotiations, and agency agreements.
Ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop effective legal strategies.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to make independent legal decisions in high-pressure situations.
Ability to prioritize multiple cases and projects while meeting deadlines.
Ability to work cross-functionally with agency leadership, attorneys, and policymakers.

Nice To Haves

Experience or subject matter expertise in administrative law, regulatory compliance, labor law, or constitutional law.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and guidance to agency leadership, state boards, and commissions on complex legal and regulatory matters.
Review, draft, and interpret statutes, regulations, contracts, and agency policies for compliance with state and federal law.
Develop legal strategies to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Serve as a subject matter expert in specialized areas of law.
Lead litigation on behalf of the state, including representation in administrative hearings, state and federal courts, and appellate proceedings.
Develop legal arguments; draft pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs; and present oral arguments when necessary.
Supervise discovery, evidence gathering, and case preparation for high-profile cases.
Negotiate settlements, consent agreements, and dispute resolutions on behalf of the agency.
Conduct legal research and analyze laws, judicial rulings, and administrative decisions.
Assist with drafting and reviewing proposed legislation, agency rules, and policy changes.
Advise on ethics, open records laws, procurement policies, and governmental operations.
Monitor legal and regulatory trends and recommend proactive legal strategies.
Mentor junior attorneys, legal staff, and administrative personnel.
Lead legal training programs and workshops for agency employees.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, government officials, and external legal counsel on major legal matters.