Chief Legal Counsel

About the role

The Chief Counsel reports to the Deputy Director and serves as General Counsel for the agency and as supervisor of a Legal Unit consisting of 6 other attorneys and 2 paralegal staff. The incumbent is responsible for the provision of legal services to agency management, program staff, the Fish & Wildlife Commission, and the Parks & Outdoor Recreation Board. Those legal services take the form of the provision of general legal advice and direct representation of the agency, Commission and/or Board in federal, state, and administrative litigation forums. Areas of subject matter expertise for the legal services provided include administrative law, human resources / labor relations law, natural resources / environmental law, contract / real property law, water law, and general governmental operations (i.e., open meeting, public records, etc.). The incumbent also provides support and oversees the provision of support to the agency's legislative affairs activities and represents the agency in multiple and varied intergovernmental affairs settings (i.e., state, local, federal, and tribal).

Responsibilities

• Provide general legal advice and direct representation of the agency, Commission, and/or Board in federal, state, and administrative litigation forums
• Supervise a Legal Unit consisting of 6 attorneys and 2 paralegal staff
• Provide legal services across subject matter areas: administrative law, human resources/labor relations law, natural resources/environmental law, contract/real property law, water law, and general governmental operations (open meeting, public records, etc.)
• Support and oversee the agency's legislative affairs activities
• Represent the agency in intergovernmental affairs settings (state, local, federal, and tribal)

Requirements

• JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Seven years of practical civil legal experience with progressively more complex and difficult legal work
• Prior experience supervising legal support staff and/or junior attorneys
• Admitted to practice law in Montana or eligible for immediate admission to Montana

Preferred qualifications

• 3–5 years of subject matter expertise in at least one of: administrative law, human resources/labor relations law, natural resources/environmental law, contract/real property law, water law, general governmental operations (open meeting, public records, etc.)
• Civil trial/hearing experience (state and/or federal court) and administrative hearing experience
• Specific experience in more than one of the listed subject areas

Skills

• Analyze difficult and complex legal problems and organize a course of action
• Apply sound legal and practical judgment to complex and sensitive factual and public policy situations
• Organize and provide general supervision to a diverse and specialized team of professionals
• Deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive material
• Competently represent the department before judicial, legislative, and administrative bodies
• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with elected officials, co-workers, other public agency officials, and members of the public

Benefits

Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are provided health, dental, and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

Additional information

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. The first review of applications will take place on November 6, 2026.