ATTORNEY II

Location: Little Rock, AR

Anticipated starting salary: $85,943.10

About the role

The Attorney II will function as Associate Counsel, responsible for conducting legal research and preparing legal documents for use in regulating the insurance industry and in litigation, as well as providing legal assistance to the Arkansas Insurance Department. This position handles insurance regulation in one or more of the following lines of authority: life and health, property and casualty, and any subsets of these lines. Associate Counsel may also regulate the insurance industry as it relates to market conduct (insurance companies) and agent misconduct (insurance producers).

The Associate Counsel may further regulate non-insurance-related products and entities, such as acting as counsel for the State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services; prepaid funeral benefit contracts and permits; professional employer organizations; service contracts; motor vehicle service contracts; pharmacy benefit managers; and multiple employer welfare arrangements. The Associate Counsel provides legal advice to specific Divisions within the Department and to boards associated with those Divisions.

Occasional to frequent in-state travel is required to attend fact-finding meetings, advisory meetings, hearings, and administrative and judicial proceedings. Occasional out-of-state travel related to agency legal matters may also be required. This position requires on-site employment with no remote or hybrid options available.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and prepare legal documents for use in litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Provide legal assistance and advice to the Arkansas Insurance Department, management, and divisions on a broad range of matters.
• Analyze and interpret state and federal laws to determine impact on Department programs.
• Represent the agency in litigation, including administrative proceedings and judicial proceedings in state and federal courts.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, subpoenas, and respond to subpoenas.
• Draft legislation, policy documents, and promulgate new Department rules and amendments to existing rules.
• Handle Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
• Provide legal guidance to state agencies, boards, and commissions on compliance, policy implementation, and statutory interpretation.
• Review and analyze proposed legislation, administrative rules, and agency policies for legal sufficiency.
• Prepare and present cases in administrative hearings, state courts, and appellate proceedings.
• Assist in defending or prosecuting claims on behalf of the state.
• Develop legal arguments, draft pleadings, and participate in discovery processes.
• Represent the agency in settlement negotiations, mediation, and arbitration.
• Draft legal memoranda, contracts, interagency agreements, and official opinions.
• Review and approve agency contracts, procurement agreements, and administrative decisions to ensure compliance with state laws.
• Advise agencies on ethics, administrative law, public records, and employment-related legal issues.
• Assist in developing and implementing regulatory policies to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
• Monitor and evaluate court rulings, attorney general opinions, and legislative changes that affect agency procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be licensed as an Attorney in the State of Arkansas.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Two years of experience as an Attorney.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years’ experience practicing law.
• Knowledge of the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act and the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Skills

• Strong understanding of Arkansas state laws, administrative regulations, and judicial procedures.
• Advanced legal research skills, with proficiency in using legal databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase).
• Ability to draft and review legal documents, contracts, and policy statements with precision.
• Experience with litigation, case management, and dispute resolution processes.
• Ability to assess complex legal matters and develop sound legal strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey legal concepts to various stakeholders.
• Capacity to provide strategic legal advice and anticipate legal risks.
• Ability to manage multiple legal matters and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to advocate for the agency’s interests while working toward fair resolutions.

Pay

Salary range: $85,943 - $127,195