SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL

State of careers Rhode Island•Chicopee, MA

8d•$96,493 - $109,352•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves performing legal advice and services within a state department or agency, focusing on issues that require complex legal interpretations and extensive research of law, rules, and regulations. The role includes training, instructing, and supervising entry-level legal staff. The Senior Legal Counsel works under general supervision with latitude for independent judgment, and their work is reviewed for conformance to established policies, rules, regulations, and provisions of law. The attorney will support the Office of Child Support Services within the Department of Human Services.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of the methods, practices and procedures of governmental law.
Ability to interpret the provisions of state and federal laws and to prepare opinions relating thereto for use in the administration of the functions of the department.
Ability to function as a hearing officer.
Ability to prepare briefs, rulings and miscellaneous legal documents.
Ability to research and draft rules and regulations having the force and effect of law while remaining consistent with the purpose and provisions of the law.
Ability to exercise independent judgement in making decisions in complex and difficult cases involving legal matters.
Ability to train, instruct and supervise entry level legal staff.
Ability to prepare detailed reports and recommendations.
Graduation from an accredited law school.
Considerable employment in a responsible capacity within a legal services program involving the interpretation of law and the application of pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies and decisions.
Applicant must be a member of the Rhode Island Bar and must maintain such membership as a condition of employment.
Must undergo a national fingerprint background screening.
Employment eligibility must be validated through E-Verify.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and services in a state department or agency on issues posing complex legal interpretations and extensive research of law, rules and regulations.
Provide instruction and training to subordinate legal staff in the performance and execution of legal services and to review such work performed for results obtained and conformance to law, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Serve as a hearing officer for cases of a complex and difficult nature requiring the interpretation and enforcement of applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Prepare legal documents, as well as draft rules, regulations, laws, legislation and amendments thereto.
Perform extensive legal research relative to various departmental or agency issues or the preparation and presentation of cases in court.
Prepare in-depth reports, briefs, papers and recommendations on legal matters.
Analyze pertinent information and evidence in order to provide legal opinions to departmental or agency staff personnel for the proper execution of their responsibilities.
Review and evaluate departmental programs from a legal perspective and propose appropriate changes.
Gather and analyze evidence for cases and review pertinent decisions, policies, regulations, and other legal matters pertaining to such case and represent the agency in court.
Interact and coordinate legal activities with other legal staff and various other state departments and agencies.
Be responsible for the development and maintenance of legal service programs designed for client groups and consult with such groups on legal program matters.
Train, instruct and supervise entry level legal staff members and clerical support staff assigned to assist.