Staff Attorney 2 #260610-0088AR-001

About the role

This position will be responsible for, under the direction of the Ethics Enforcement Officer, performing the necessary tasks associated with the evaluation, investigation and prosecution of alleged violations of the Codes of Ethics (Chapter 10 of the Connecticut General Statutes).

The role involves working independently to perform a full range of tasks in the legal work of the agency, including:

• Researching, interpreting, analyzing and applying complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles;
• Acting as hearing officer or representing agency in formal administrative and public proceedings on a full range of cases involving complex legal and technical issues;
• Drafting advisory opinions, rulings, decisions, recommendations, findings, legislation, statutes, regulations, publications and other related legal documents;
• Assisting in the preparation and presentation of trials and appeals;
• Negotiating and drafting settlement agreements;
• Consulting with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues;
• Conducting investigations and enforcement proceedings;
• Preparing comprehensive reports for use in administrative and court proceedings;
• Preparing pleadings and other court papers;
• Interpreting and applying complex or conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles;
• Participating in the conduct of various educational activities;
• Providing legal guidance when duly authorized;
• Providing input into policy formation;
• Reviewing court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations;
• Preparing and maintaining precedent manuals;
• Reviewing legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency;
• Making presentations in legislative proceedings;
• Representing agency in court when authorized.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced and complex legal work of an agency;
• Acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings on a full range of cases involving complex legal and technical issues;
• Drafts advisory opinions, rulings, decisions, recommendations, findings, legislation, statutes, regulations, publications and other related legal documents;
• Assists in the preparation and presentation of trials and appeals;
• Negotiates and drafts settlement agreements;
• Consults with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues;
• Researches complex legal issues;
• Conducts investigations and enforcement proceedings;
• Prepares comprehensive reports for use in administrative and court proceedings;
• Prepares pleadings and other court papers;
• Interprets and applies complex or conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles;
• Provides legal guidance when duly authorized;
• Provides input into policy formation;
• Reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations;
• Prepares and maintains precedent manuals;
• Reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency;
• Makes presentations in legislative proceedings;
• Represents agency in court when authorized.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut;
• Legal research techniques;
• The Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
• Relevant agency policies and procedures;
• The rules of evidence;
• Criminal and constitutional law and legislative process;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statutes;
• Comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law;
• Demonstrated interest or experience in the core advocacy mission of the Office of State Ethics;
• Demonstrated interest or experience in conducting hearings;
• Demonstrated interest or experience in conducting every aspect of trial preparation and trial presentation in administrative or judicial proceedings;
• Experience in litigation, discovery practice, including e-discovery; conducting depositions; examining witnesses; preparing and arguing motions; preparing briefs, in administrative or judicial matters;
• Experience conducting legal investigations;
• Experience working in a confidential environment;
• Experience negotiating legal settlements;
• Excellent legal writing skills;
• Experience with the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act;
• Demonstrated experience working in a team setting;
• Experience in effective communication skills or public speaking;
• Admission to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut;
• Legal research techniques;
• The Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
• Relevant agency policies and procedures;
• The rules of evidence;
• Criminal and constitutional law and legislative process;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statutes;
• Comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

Benefits

• Industry leading health benefits with medical and dental coverage;
• Generous paid time off, including 14 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Retirement healthcare offerings;
• Professional growth and development opportunities;
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees!

Pay

• $102,060.00 - $130,604.00/year (Employees new to state service start at minimum of pay plan)

Schedule

• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday;
• Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week;
• Work Shift: First shift, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
• Hybrid work environment (combination of on-site and remote work) - available after successful completion of probationary period.