Deputy General Counsel

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Positions in this job family provide support, guidance, and counsel to the agency's General Counsel. The incumbent may be responsible for: managing the day-to-day administrative functions and duties and legal affairs of the organization; oversight of legal operations; managing legal staff; handling complex legal matters and providing legal guidance and legal counsel on a wide range of issues to agency divisions and departments.

• Provides Legal Leadership and Division Management

• Assists with Agency Legal Counsel and Risk Management

• Assists with Contracts, Employment, Compliance with the Open Records Act, and General Agency Matters

• Provides Administrative Prosecution and Litigation Oversight.

• Guides Rulemaking, Legislation, and Public Policy activities.

The functions performed in this job family will vary by level, unit and organization, but may include the following:

• Supports General Counsel by providing legal and administrative support and counsel on agency and department issues

• Researches, analyzes complex information, and reports findings and conclusions on agency and administrative programs, issues, and concerns.

• Reviews and provides legal counsel and guidance on contracts, legal filings and opinions, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, employment matters, and litigation, and proposed legislation to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and guidelines governing the agency’s programs

• Prepares appropriate legal and administrative documents for agency-related administrative or litigated issues and concerns

• Negotiates agreements

• Represents the organization in legal proceedings, including first- and second- chair responsibilities in state, federal, appellate, and administrative court proceedings, to include drafting all appropriate legal documents such as pleadings, discovery, depositions, etc.

• Analyzes complex factual and legal issues to develop evidence through witness interviews, depositions, or other discovery

• Collaborates with external legal counsel, internal agency divisions or departments, and other state agencies to ensure the organization's legal needs are met effectively and efficiently

• Manages or assists in managing the legal risks for the agency

• Manages internal administrative functions and duties, such as budget and human resources, for the legal department

• Supervises and manages lower-level attorneys and other legal staff

• Serves as General Counsel in the absence of the General Counsel

Levels are distinguished based on the complexity of assigned duties, the level of expertise required for completion of work assignments, and the responsibility assigned for the supervision of others.

This is the manager level of this job family where incumbents are assigned responsibilities performing all supervisory duties, including performance appraisals, and staff development and managing assigned responsibilities within the legal department. This includes: building consensus with internal and external partners, staff, and other relevant individuals or groups; providing legal guidance; development, review, and implementation of the agency’s organizational policies and procedures; and representing the agency in legal venues as directed.

In addition to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies identified in lower level(s), these attributes are also required:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of supervisory practices and principles; applicable laws, agency policies and procedures; scope of Oklahoma statutes and federal statutes, regulations, and policies; the Oklahoma Constitution; the principles of administrative and constitutional law; the application of the Oklahoma Administrative Code; methods and techniques for conducting complex legal research; relevant legal principles and their application; trial and hearing procedures; and the rules of evidence.

Skills required include: skill in independently conducting complex and difficult research; communicating in multiple venues, such as presenting or arguing a case, in a clear, concise, concise manner both orally and in writing; data analytics; critical thinking, and decision making.

Abilities required include ability to supervise and manage staff to achieve positive outcomes; understand, interpret, and apply applicable laws, agency policies and procedures; meet deadlines; build consensus; formulate organizational policies and procedures; and establish and maintain working relationships with agency staff and partners, court personnel, and stakeholders.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, a license to practice law in State of Oklahoma, and an active membership in the Oklahoma Bar Association plus a minimum of ten (10) years of legal experience including a minimum of three (3) years of experience in a supervisory position or as a supervising attorney.

Some agencies may require a specific type of legal experience.

Some agencies may prefer a specific type of legal experience.

Preference may be given for previous experience as a managing attorney.

Successful applicants must be willing to submit to a thorough background investigation. Certain events automatically disqualify an applicant, such as: felony conviction; admission of an undetected crime that, if known, would have been a felony charge; failure to pay federal or state income tax; positive confirmed drug urine test; illegal use of a controlled substance within certain time frames.

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

Agency Contact