General Counsel

Organization: Supreme Court of Ohio · Work Location: 65 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215 · Schedule: Permanent Full‑Time, 8 am–5 pm M‑F · Classification: Unclassified, Exempt from union · Primary Skill: Attorney/Legal

About the role

The Supreme Court of Ohio is seeking a General Counsel to direct the legal, legislative, and policy affairs of the Court and serve as principal advisor on legal matters affecting Court administration and the Ohio judicial branch. The position provides executive leadership and operational oversight for the Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Reporter, and Office of Legal Resources, ensuring effective governance, statutory compliance, and coordinated service delivery. Key responsibilities include leading multidisciplinary teams of legal and professional staff, managing budgets and resources, and guiding strategic planning, policy development, records management, and public access functions.

Responsibilities

• Leadership: Oversees the activities of the Offices of the General Counsel, Reporter, and Legal Resources, ensuring alignment with the Court’s mission, statutory obligations, and operational priorities. Fosters collaboration and clear communication to ensure strategies and operations are aligned under a unified legal and administrative strategy. Coordinates efforts to drive innovation, efficiency, and consistency.
• Organizational Goals: Develops and executes strategic goals, values, and policies across offices in alignment with the Court’s mission. Provides high‑level leadership for court‑wide initiatives. Supports the Chief Justice and Administrative Director in implementing organizational change, fostering innovation, and ensuring policy compliance. Provides leadership for legal, legislative, and policy matters; assists in planning and reviewing non‑judicial operations; coordinates activities with other agencies and court divisions; conducts special projects assigned by the Chief Justice, Administrative Director, or Deputy Administrative Directors.
• Office Management: Plans, prioritizes, directs, and oversees activities of the Office of the General Counsel, including legal, legislative, and policy activities. Develops and implements the Office’s budget.
• Legal Advice: Provides legal advice to the Chief Justice, Justices, Administrative Director, Deputy Administrative Directors, managers, supervisors, and employees to ensure compliance with laws, rules, and regulations. Consults on programs, policies, and regulations. Addresses legal issues impacting the Court or Ohio judicial branch by researching statutes, judicial decisions, and rules; drafting advisory opinions; and preparing legal memoranda and reports.
• Public Records & Policy: Oversees public records requests and manages public records policies and procedures across the offices of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
• Contract & Agreement Management: Reviews, prepares, and coordinates intergovernmental agreements, grant agreements, and contracts; advises staff on legal risks, terms, and conditions. Provides reference materials and training for judges and judicial branch employees.
• Staff Supervision: Directly supervises the Reporter of Decisions, Director of Legal Resources, and Judicial Assignment Analyst. Responsible for recruitment and onboarding, coaching and feedback, performance management, evaluations, and fostering a collaborative, high‑performance work environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active Ohio law license in good standing, or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment; must maintain active Ohio license in good standing throughout employment.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of increasingly responsible, broad‑based legal experience as a bar‑licensed attorney.
• At least five (5) years of extensive and substantial management responsibility (preferred).

Pay

Salary range: $175,000 – $190,000 (commensurate with experience).

Schedule

Permanent full‑time position; work hours 8 am–5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after eligibility period
• Paid time off: vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, etc.)
• Public retirement systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS) and optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Location

65 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, United States.