Agency Legal Counsel

Agency Legal Counsel (Open)The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking an experienced attorney and strong leader to serve as Agency Legal Counsel. This is a unique opportunity to lead the legal function of a progressive, high-performing state agency whose work impacts nearly every Nebraskan. The Nebraska DMV is focused on modernization, efficiency, customer service, accountability, and sound public administration. Our legal counsel plays a critical role in helping the agency navigate complex legal issues, evaluate risk, support major initiatives, interpret legislation, manage contracts, advise on personnel matters, and work collaboratively with other branches and levels of government.The Agency Legal Counsel serves as the DMV's chief legal advisor and is a key member of the agency's leadership team. This position directs the agency's legal operations, supervises legal staff, advises the Director and senior leadership, and helps ensure the agency carries out its responsibilities in a legally sound, practical, and effective manner. We are looking for an attorney who brings strong legal judgment, a collaborative approach, high professional standards, and the ability to identify solutions —not simply obstacles.The Nebraska DMV is not standing still. We are modernizing systems, changing how services are delivered, evaluating new technologies, improving customer service, and continually looking for ways to operate government more effectively. Those changes create interesting and complex legal issues involving statutory authority, administrative law, contracts, privacy, personnel, technology, legislation, compliance, and relationships with other governmental entities. The Agency Legal Counsel has an opportunity to be directly involved in those discussions and decisions. This position is not limited to reviewing documents after decisions have been made. We want our legal counsel engaged early — helping leadership identify risks, understand options, solve problems, and determine how the agency can move forward responsibly. Our work has a direct impact on the lives of Nebraskans. The DMV's programs support individual mobility, public safety, commerce, law enforcement, local governments, businesses, and numerous other public and private partners. We take that responsibility seriously and expect high standards from ourselves and our team.If you are an experienced attorney who enjoys solving complex problems, advising executive leadership, developing other professionals, and using your legal skills to make a meaningful difference in public service, we encourage you to apply. Join the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and help shape the legal foundation for the DMV of the future.Job Duties:Serve as the chief legal advisor to the DMV Director and agency leadership.Direct and manage the agency's legal functions and supervise attorneys and other legal staff.Provide legal advice regarding agency operations, statutory authority, administrative law, contracts, personnel matters, regulatory compliance, litigation, and other legal issues affecting the agency.Review, interpret, and advise on state and federal laws, regulations, case law, administrative decisions, and agency policies.Draft and review proposed legislation, amendments, rules, policies, legal opinions, and other legal documents.Analyze proposed legislation to identify legal, operational, financial, and administrative impacts on the agency.Work with agency leadership and program areas to identify and address legal risks associated with new initiatives, technology, operational changes, and service delivery.Review and negotiate contracts and assist leadership in evaluating contractual risk and enforcement options.Advise agency management on personnel and employment-law matters, including discipline, performance issues, due process, and other employment-related concerns.Direct legal research, investigations, case preparation, and administrative enforcement activities.Represent the agency in administrative hearings and other proceedings as authorized.Coordinate with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office and other legal counsel regarding litigation and significant legal matters.Prepare legal documents, pleadings, motions, findings, conclusions, rules, orders, and other materials necessary to protect and advance the agency's interests.Develop and maintain productive working relationships with representatives of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government.Work collaboratively with other state agencies, local governments, federal agencies, vendors, businesses, and other outside entities.Supervise, mentor, and develop legal staff while maintaining high standards for legal analysis, responsiveness, and client service.Prioritize legal work and ensure significant legal issues are identified and addressed in a timely manner.Provide practical legal guidance that allows the agency to accomplish its goals while appropriately managing legal risk.Other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.Requirements / QualificationsMinimum Qualifications: Five years of experience practicing law and providing legal services such as preparing and trying cases, advising clients, and/or interpreting laws and/or administrative policies, including one year of supervising other attorneys.Legal Requirement: In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of l943, incumbents in this class must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.Preferred Qualifications: The successful candidate will be an experienced attorney who understands that serving as chief legal counsel requires more than providing technically correct legal answers.Other: Regular and reliable attendance required.We are looking for someone who can:Provide clear, practical, and well-reasoned legal advice to executive leadership.Assess legal risk and distinguish between issues requiring immediate action and risks that can appropriately be managed.Translate complex legal issues into understandable options and recommendations for non-attorneys.Draft and review legislation and identify potential unintended legal or operational consequences.Work effectively within the legislative process and with elected officials, legislative staff, and other government representatives.Analyze and negotiate contracts while understanding both legal and operational considerations.Advise management on complex personnel and employment matters.Effectively manage litigation, administrative proceedings, and relationships with outside counsel.Build strong professional relationships while appropriately advocating for the agency's interests.Exercise sound, independent judgment and provide candid advice, even when the legal answer may not be the preferred answer.Identify legally permissible alternatives when a proposed course of action presents concerns.Lead and develop professional staff, delegate appropriately, and maintain accountability for high-quality legal work.Manage multiple high-priority matters in a fast-paced environment.Demonstrate professionalism, discretion, integrity, and excellent judgment.