SORM | Deputy General Counsel | 26-0565

General Description

The State Office of Risk Management is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to serve as a key leader within the Legal Services Division. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this position will be the division's second-in-command and play a critical role advising agency leadership on complex legal, regulatory, and operational matters.

Responsibilities

• Acts on behalf of the General Counsel in their absence
• Supervises legal staff and manages day-to-day legal operations and workflows within the Legal Services Division
• Provides expert legal advice and guidance to the Board of Directors, Executive Director, General Counsel, and other agency stakeholders on statutory, regulatory, governance, and operational matters
• Reviews, drafts, revises, and approves contracts, administrative rules, agency policies, and other legal documents; monitors procurement and contract compliance
• Represents the agency in litigation and administrative proceedings; coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General; serves as a management resource on labor and employment law matters
• Maintains governance standards; prepares statutory and regulatory reports; ensures compliance with applicable state and federal laws
• Drafts governance standards; prepares statutory and regulatory reports; ensures compliance with applicable state and federal laws
• Identifies and responds to legal risks affecting agency operations; advises leadership on open government requirements, applicable legal precedent, ethical considerations, and regulatory guidelines
• Performs related work as assigned

Requirements

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas. Must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Experience: Minimum of four years of full-time experience in the practice of law. Law clerk experience can be counted toward the legal experience. Experience providing legal counsel to management or senior leadership.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; state and federal laws, regulations, and rules; legal codes, court procedures, precedents, executive orders, and agency rules. Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government law, and Texas state agency contracting and procurement.
• Skills: Skill in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Skill in legal research and analysis, including use of Westlaw and other legal resources. Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines. Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making. Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Abilities: Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of others. Ability to work independently and collaboratively to devise solutions to agency issues. Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel. Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA. Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs. Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Experience in Texas state government.
• Supervisory or management experience in a legal setting.
• Experience with rulemaking, legislative analysis, or the Texas legislative process.
• Experience with the State Procurement Process.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Texas workers' compensation law; administrative law; insurance law; labor and employment law; open government law; or enterprise risk management law.
• Experience providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership.