Chief Legal Counsel

State of Montana•Helena, MT

About The Position

The Chief Counsel reports to the Deputy Director and serves as General Counsel for the agency and as supervisor of a Legal Unit consisting of 6 other attorneys and 2 paralegal staff. The incumbent is responsible for the provision of legal services to agency management, program staff, the Fish & Wildlife Commission, and the Parks & Outdoor Recreation Board. Those legal services take the form of the provision of general legal advice and direct representation of the agency, Commission and/or Board in federal, state, and administrative litigation forums. Areas of subject matter expertise for the legal services provided include administrative law, human resources / labor relations law, natural resources / environmental law, contract / real property law, water law, and general governmental operations (i.e., open meeting, public records, etc.). The incumbent also provides support and oversees the provision of support to the agency's legislative affairs activities and represents the agency in multiple and varied intergovernmental (affairs settings (i.e., state, local, federal, and tribal).

Requirements

JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school
Seven years of practical civil legal experience with progressively more complex and difficult legal work
Prior experience in supervising legal support staff and/or junior attorneys
Admitted to practice law in Montana or be eligible for immediate admission to Montana
Ability to analyze difficult and complex legal problems and organize a course of action
Ability to apply sound legal and practical judgment to complex and sensitive factual and public policy situations
Ability to organize and provide general supervision to a diverse and specialized team of professionals
Ability to deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive material
Ability to competently represent the department before judicial, legislative, and administrative bodies
Ability to establish and effective professional working relationships with elected officials, co-workers, other public agency officials and members of the public

Nice To Haves

3-5 years of subject matter expertise in at least one of the legal services provided by the unit, including administrative law, human resources / labor relations law, natural resources / environmental law, contract / real property law, water law, and general governmental operations (i.e., open meeting, public records, etc.).
Civil trial/hearing (state and/or federal court) and administrative hearing experience
Specific experience in more than one of the following subject areas: administrative law, human resources/labor relations law, natural resource / environmental law, contract/real property law, water law, general governmental operations (i.e., open meeting, public records, etc.) and legislative affairs.

Responsibilities

Serve as General Counsel for the agency.
Supervise a Legal Unit consisting of 6 attorneys and 2 paralegal staff.
Provide legal services to agency management, program staff, the Fish & Wildlife Commission, and the Parks & Outdoor Recreation Board.
Provide general legal advice.
Directly represent the agency, Commission and/or Board in federal, state, and administrative litigation forums.
Provide support and oversee the provision of support to the agency's legislative affairs activities.
Represent the agency in multiple and varied intergovernmental affairs settings (state, local, federal, and tribal).