Counsel - Board of Professional Conduct

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct is seeking to fill the Counsel position. This position works with the Director and Deputy Director and Senior Legal Counsel (“Deputy Director”) in conducting research related to the Board’s legal and administrative responsibilities and in providing ethical guidance to the Ohio bar and judiciary through (1) the preparation of memoranda, letters, and other written work product, (2) providing oral opinions, (3) web-based publications, and (4) presenting at continuing education programs. This is an exempt unclassified position. The salary range, which is commensurate with experience, is $118,000 - $125,000.

Requirements

• Law degree
• Admission to, and member in good standing of, the Ohio Bar
• A minimum of eight years of legal experience
• Superior writing and legal research skills including a proficiency in Westlaw and Lexis.
• Working knowledge of artificial intelligence assistants and AI-assisted legal research and drafting tools, including but not limited to Westlaw AI, Lexis+ AI, and Microsoft Copilot.
• Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated content for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable rules of professional conduct.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Sharepoint.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel for data management, case tracking, and statistical reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to establish positive public relations and to interact effectively with justices, judges, attorneys, supervisors, co-workers, and the public.
• Ability to follow rules, procedures and process, maintain confidentiality of Board records, ensure accuracy and completeness of forms and information regarding cases and be detail oriented.
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under strict deadlines.
• Able to be a self-starter and initiate work that is needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinate staff, division directors and managers, public officials, judges and state agencies.
• Act as a role model inside and outside of the Court in both professional and personal obligations, exhibiting a professional manner in dealing with others and maintaining constructive working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in working with the Rules of Professional Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, and ethics rules and procedures is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research relative to the legal and administrative responsibilities of the Board, and at the request of the Board Director, Deputy Director or a Commissioner. Responds to research requests orally or in writing, as requested.
• Assists the Deputy Director in reviewing requests for written advice in interpreting and applying the Rules of Professional Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, Rules for the Government of the Bar and Judiciary, and Ohio Ethics Law. Researches and assists the Deputy Director in the drafting of advisory opinions and staff letters.
• Researches and drafts fact sheets and other documents that provide advice regarding application of the Ruses of Professional Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, Rules for the Government of the Bar and Judiciary, and Ohio Ethics Law to topics of current and general interest.
• Responds to telephone inquiries from attorneys regarding professional responsibility matters and from judges, magistrates, judicial candidates, and judicial branch employees regarding application of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Ohio Ethics Law.
• Assists the Director and Deputy Director in outreach and education efforts to promote the understanding of the disciplinary system and professional ethics among lawyers, judges, and judicial candidates through frequent public presentations and continuing legal education. Develops and delivers annual education offerings to new judges, new magistrates, judicial candidates, and disciplinary system stakeholders and participants.
• Assists the Deputy Director in maintaining the Board’s web pages, handbooks of disciplinary cases, rules and opinions.
• Assists and works with Supreme Court offices and staff on ethics issues.
• Assists in the preparation of amendments to the Rules for the government of the Bar, Rules for government of the Judiciary, Rules of Professional Conduct, and Code of Judicial Conduct.
• Supports the adjudication of disciplinary matters by hearing panels and the Board. May attend Board meetings, panel hearings, and post-hearing panel conferences. Provides support to commissioners and Board appointed committees.
• Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is required in the office. Work is not hybrid as office collaboration is essential to the efficiency of the office. Attorney is also expected to be flexible, respectful, positive and able to communicate regularly with supervisors about work-related issues.
• This position is regularly exposed to sensitive information and the attorney is expected to keep any such information strictly confidential in conformity with Gov. Bar R. V.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director or Deputy Director.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

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