Staff Attorney 2

State of Connecticut•Hartford, CT

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2 in the Connecticut Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS‑CT). In this role, the attorney will draft and negotiate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) with state agencies and municipal police departments to support secure data‑sharing initiatives. The position also provides expert guidance on legal and compliance matters—including FOIA responses using the Everlaw platform—while reviewing statutory proposals, supporting legislative engagement, and assisting CJIS‑CT subcommittees in analytics, security, and electronic workflow areas. A key part of this work includes collaborating with legal counsel across state agencies and municipal police departments to harmonize data‑sharing frameworks and ensure consistent statewide adoption of criminal justice information sharing policies. The attorney will work closely with CJIS technologists and system architects to ensure that data‑sharing solutions, security controls, and workflow tools align with statutory, privacy, and compliance requirements. These functions reflect the Governing Board’s identified need for dedicated legal expertise to drive transparency, efficiency, and public safety outcomes across Connecticut. With a flexible hybrid work environment and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to statewide criminal justice information systems, this position is ideal for an attorney with criminal justice experience with an interest in technology and data who seeks to make a measurable impact on Connecticut’s public safety infrastructure. This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday. A Hybrid schedule may be available based on agency availability. The Connecticut Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS‑CT) is seeking a dedicated attorney to support its mission of enabling secure, statewide criminal justice data sharing. This position plays a vital role in maintaining compliance with FBI CJIS Security Policy, strengthening Connecticut’s criminal justice data governance, and advancing collaboration across law enforcement, judicial partners, and public safety agencies. DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins. 1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve Constantly seeking better results 2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges 3. Ethics and Accountability Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways.

Requirements

Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.
Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

Nice To Haves

Experience with developing, interpreting, or applying Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and data sharing or data classification standards.
Experience working within government environments, including collaboration with criminal justice agencies or related entities.
Experience providing guidance on legal or compliance requirements related to multi-component technology systems.
Experience with applying or ensuring compliance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy.
Criminal justice experience with an interest in technology and data.

Responsibilities

Draft and negotiate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) with state agencies and municipal police departments to support secure data‑sharing initiatives.
Provide expert guidance on legal and compliance matters, including FOIA responses using the Everlaw platform.
Review statutory proposals and support legislative engagement.
Assist CJIS‑CT subcommittees in analytics, security, and electronic workflow areas.
Collaborate with legal counsel across state agencies and municipal police departments to harmonize data‑sharing frameworks and ensure consistent statewide adoption of criminal justice information sharing policies.
Work closely with CJIS technologists and system architects to ensure that data‑sharing solutions, security controls, and workflow tools align with statutory, privacy, and compliance requirements.
Perform advanced and complex legal work of an agency.
Research, interpret, analyze and apply complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles.
Act as hearing officer or represent agency in formal administrative and public proceedings on a full range of cases involving complex legal and technical issues.
Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
Draft advisory opinions, rulings, decisions, recommendations, findings, legislation, statutes, regulations, publications and other related legal documents.
Assist in the preparation and presentation of trials and appeals.
Consult with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues.
Research complex legal issues.
Conduct investigations and enforcement proceedings.
Prepare comprehensive reports for use in administrative and court proceedings.
Prepare pleadings and other court papers.
Interpret and apply complex or conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles.
Participate in the conduct of various educational activities.
Provide legal guidance when duly authorized.
Provide input into policy formation.
Review court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations.
Prepare and maintain precedent manuals.
Review legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency.
May testify at or monitor legislative proceedings.
May represent agency in court when authorized.
Perform related duties as required.