Attorney

AttorneyLocation: Office of General CounselBasic Purpose: Positions in this job family conduct legal research and provide legal representation and advice to clients in government-related areas of expertise (e.g., oil and gas, public utility, and transportation, regulatory compliance, rulemaking, employment/labor, ethics, health and human services, open records, constitutional law or other areas of law as may be applicable).Typical Functions:Prepares or presents letters, memoranda of law, briefs, contracts, pleadings, motions, orders, consent, and other relevant or related documents and leadings. This may include preparing or presenting appeals to district, civil, supreme, or other court proceedings in writing or orally, to Boards and Commissions and their members, and other court proceedings as directed.Reviews, edits, and approves litigation filings when appropriate. This may be for lower-level attorneys, or litigation that is significant or complex.Mentors or oversees lower-level staff and projects within an assigned area in an effective and professional manner, reviews and provides guidance of cases including cases involving litigation; may recommend or provide training, guidance, motivation, and support of staff.Participates or assists in the resolution of inmate complaints and appeals through the State's administrative process, state and federal courts. This may include, but is limited to, complaints or allegations by current and former inmates and offenders regarding discipline, conditions of confinement, habeas corpus, sentencing and registration requirements.Participates or assists in the resolution of employee complaints, disciplinary actions, and appeals through the State's administrative process, other regulatory bodies, or court appeals when required. This may include, but not limited to, complaints or allegations by employees regarding discrimination, wage and hour disputes, employee discipline, and unemployment.Conducts or assists in the enforcement of agency policies, statutes and rules including action taken against staff or inmates for violations of rules, policies or statutes.Advises agency staff on rules, laws, policies and procedures.Prepares or presents letters, memoranda of law, briefs, contracts, pleadings, motions, orders, consent, and other relevant or related documents and pleadings. This may include preparing or presenting appeals to district, civil, supreme court, or other proceedings in writing or orally, to Boards and Commissions and their members, and other court proceedings as directed.Conducts depositions and discovery.Drafts, reviews, edits, and approves litigation filings when appropriate.Mentors or oversees lower-level administrative staff and projects within an assigned area in an effective and professional manner.Reviews and responds to open records requests.Level Descriptor: This is the career level of the job family, where incumbents are largely responsible for performing a full range of professional legal activities or at a full performance level. May provide training or assistance to lower-level employees. Assignments are prescribed, but the methods are not typically reviewed nor controlled while the work is in progress.Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; applicable regulations; constitutional law and the Oklahoma Constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; methods and techniques for conducting legal research and writing.Skills required include critical thinking; conducting legal research and written and oral communication; Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; attention to detail; sound judgment and decision making.Abilities required include presenting statements of fact and law; clearly and logically articulate position in written and oral form; analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures; direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems; conduct legal research on Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, Fastcase, the Oklahoma State Court Network, and printed or internet-based legal resources; meet timelines while following the Oklahoma statutes; represent the agency in a professional manner; train lower-level employees, provide leadership in the absences of the agency General Counsel.Education and Experience: Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, a license to practice law in State of Oklahoma; an active membership of the Oklahoma Bar Association and two years of legal experience or adjudicative experience.Special Requirements: Admitted to practice law in Oklahoma and preferably federal courts. Two years of experience, preferably as a public sector attorney. Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct. Some agencies may require the incumbent to function or comply with: Oklahoma Statutes, in particular Title 68: Revenue and Taxation, and the Oklahoma Administrative Code, Title 710: Oklahoma Tax Commission. Information and records of the agency are subject to the confidentiality provisions in 68 O.S. § 205. Federal tax information (FTI) received by the agency must be protected as directed by 26 U.S.C. § 6103.Equal Opportunity Employment: The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.