Deputy General Counsel / Director of Legal & Records

Port of Portland•Portland 97218, OR

About The Position

The Port of Portland is hiring a Deputy General Counsel / Director of Legal & Records. The Deputy General Counsel / Director of Legal & Records provides senior-level legal leadership, strategic advice, and operational oversight in support of the Port’s legal affairs and records. This role serves as a key advisor to the General Counsel/Chief Shared Prosperity & Legal Officer and directs the day-to-day activities of the Legal & Records Department. The position ensures high-quality, timely legal services across the organization, assists with departmental leadership, and may act on behalf of the General Counsel/Chief Shared Prosperity & Legal Officer as delegated. The Deputy General Counsel / Director of Legal & Records advances the Port of Portland’s mission of building shared prosperity by leading a team of attorneys and legal professionals through the Port’s most complex, high-impact legal work. As the day-to-day leader of the Legal & Records Department, you will elevate operational excellence, champion continuous improvement, and integrate legal technology to strengthen collaboration and service delivery across the organization. Alongside departmental leadership, you will actively practice law across diverse and sophisticated matters, including advising the Chief Shared Prosperity & Legal Officer on governance and strategic legal issues.

Requirements

Ten (10) + years of practice of law across multiple relevant areas.
Five (5) + years of experience leading complex legal matters in multiple areas of law with at least one long-term client.
Three (3) + years of people management experience.
Juris Doctorate – From an accredited law school
Active license to practice law in the State of Oregon is required.
Legal research methods, case law analysis, regulatory interpretation, and application to complex operational scenarios.
Knowledge of supervisory practices, including setting expectations, providing work direction, staffing strategies, and managing cross-functional legal workflows.
Business acumen and understanding of how the legal department supports overall business performance.
Analytical, problem-solving, communication, and judgement.
Leading multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

In-house experience or outside general counsel experience preferred.
Process improvement and/or project management experience is highly desirable, especially in the context of legal technology implementation.
Continuous process improvement.

Responsibilities

Support overall management of the Legal Department, including resource allocation, budget development and adherence, and continuous improvement of workflows (in particular, utilization of technology to facilitate seamless work with internal and external stakeholders).
Develop and implement legal strategies that align with the organization’s goals and objectives.
Provide guidance and oversight to attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff; and supervise management roles.
Lead or coordinate departmental initiatives, legal coverage plans, and cross-functional work.
Provide legal advice on complex matters under Oregon and Federal laws. Topics may include regulation, compliance, litigation risk, public sector operations, procurement, governance, real estate, employment, and business transactions.
Develop legal strategies that balance risk, operational needs, and organizational goals.
Review, draft, and negotiate high-impact contracts, intergovernmental agreements, policies, and legal instruments.
Advise on statutory, regulatory, and policy compliance, including public meetings, ethics, transparency, and public records obligations.
Oversee or support responses to public records requests, regulatory inquiries, and compliance audits.
Provide strategic advisory support and executive-level legal guidance to senior leadership, including development of legal interpretations, risk assessments, and organizational recommendations.
Lead or contribute to special legal initiatives, organizational projects, or cross-functional efforts requiring senior-level legal judgment.