Attorney II

Attorney II

The Attorney II provides professional legal services to the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO), supporting the General Counsel in the delivery of legal advice, representation, and compliance related to the agency's statutory duties and trust responsibilities. This position performs journey-level legal work, handling a wide range of assigned legal matters with increasing independence while operating within established legal frameworks and under the direction of the General Counsel. Attorney II advises agency leadership and staff, represents the agency in administrative and judicial proceedings, and prepares legal documents necessary to support CLO operations, enforcement activities, and risk management.

Underfill Provision: This position is posted at the Attorney II level and may be underfilled as an Attorney I, depending on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. An employee appointed at the Attorney I level will perform assignments commensurate with the employee's experience under closer direction and review of the General Counsel. The scope, complexity, and independence of assignments will increase as proficiency is demonstrated.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Attorney II: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; active membership in good standing with the Oklahoma Bar Association; license to practice law in the State of Oklahoma; and two years of legal or adjudicative experience.
• Working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, administrative procedures, and legal research and writing techniques.
• Ability to analyze legal issues, exercise sound judgment, and communicate legal positions clearly and professionally.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Litigation and court proceedings: Oklahoma state courts and federal courts;
• Oil and Gas: litigation, contracts/leasing, OCC operations and administrative procedures, the PRSA, Surface Damages Act, oil and gas industry operations, oil and gas royalty issues;
• Real property: surface rights and disputes, easements, contracts/leasing, quiet title, condemnation, FED and collection proceedings, brine and geothermal;
• Commercial property: negotiation and drafting of contracts and leases, purchases and sales, regulatory property exchanges, negotiations, and collections;
• Representation of a governmental entity, state agency, public-sector body, board, or commission: familiarity with Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, Oklahoma Open Records Act, rulemaking, risk management, statutory and regulatory review, interpretation, and compliance, state administrative requirements and contracts; and/or
• Workers' compensation and employment/labor law.

Essential Functions:

• Technical Legal Analysis, Research & Drafting: Applies working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, administrative regulations, constitutional provisions, and agency policies to assigned legal matters. Conducts legal research using electronic and traditional resources. Analyzes statutes, regulations, and case law relevant to the agency's functions, operations, and trust responsibilities. Skilled in performing independent and difficult research; analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles, applicable law, and precedent to complex legal or factual scenarios; presenting proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and supporting argument clearly and concisely in oral and written form; effectively presenting, explaining, and arguing cases and legal issues; composing correspondence involving the explanation of complex legal matters; effectively communicating with internal personnel and the public.
• Legal Advice & Support: Advises agency leadership, managers, and staff on applicable laws, regulations, administrative rules, and agency policies. Assists in addressing operational, regulatory, and compliance issues affecting agency programs and trust assets. Exercises sound legal judgment, maintains confidentiality, adheres to professional and ethical standards, and manages assigned caseloads and deadlines while working within established legal frameworks and agency direction.
• Professional Legal Practice & Case Management: Represents and assists in representing the agency in administrative hearings and judicial proceedings as assigned. Participates in pre-hearing or pre-trial conferences, conduct discovery, draft pleadings and motions, examine and cross-examine witnesses, negotiate resolutions, and assist with appeals.
• Coordination & Collaboration: Works collaboratively with agency staff, the general public, other state agencies, outside counsel, and regulatory bodies to support effective resolution of legal issues.
• Employment & Personnel Matters: Participates in or assists with the resolution of employee complaints, disciplinary actions, grievances, and administrative appeals involving issues such as discrimination, wage and hour matters, unemployment, or other employment related concerns as assigned.
• Rulemaking & Administration Support: Assists with agency rulemaking, risk management, insurance, worker compensation processes, and other operational matters.
• Contracts, Property & Transactions: Drafts, reviews, and assists in negotiating contracts, agreements, leases, easements, property transactions, and other legal instruments affecting agency operations and trust assets. Evaluates documents for legal sufficiency and compliance with applicable statutes, rules, policies, and approval requirements.

Essential Competencies:

• Legal Research & Analytical Ability: Conducts thorough legal research of applicable federal, state, regulatory, and case law, and evaluates complex legal issues to develop well-supported legal positions, opinions, and recommendations.
• Legal Judgment & Professional Responsibility: Applies sound legal reasoning and professional ethics in advising agency leadership and representing the agency in administrative and judicial proceedings. Exercises independent judgment within established legal frameworks.
• Litigation & Advocacy Skills: Prepares and presents legal arguments in administrative hearings and judicial proceedings. Drafts contracts, pleadings, memoranda, and other legal instruments that are clear, legally sufficient, and aligned with agency objectives. Performs assigned litigation activities with clarity and precision and in accordance with applicable ethical and procedural requirements.
• Regulatory & Compliance Interpretation: Interprets and applies state and federal laws, administrative rules, and agency policies to ensure legal compliance and mitigate operational risk.
• Risk Assessment & Issue Resolution: Identifies legal risks and provides practical, defensible recommendations to support agency decision-making and trust asset protection.
• Professional Communication & Advisory Credibility: Communicates complex legal concepts clearly to leadership and staff. Provides confident, balanced legal advice while maintaining professionalism and discretion.
• Caseload Management & Accountability: Manages assigned matters efficiently, meets deadlines, prioritizes workload effectively, and maintains accuracy and completeness in legal documentation.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Location: 204 N Robinson Ave, Suite 900, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Please note: This role requires a consistent, in-person presence at the designated workplace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with no remote, telecommuting, or hybrid options.

Work Environment includes:

• Office Setting: Climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise; the employee is frequently required to talk, walk, and stand; this position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computer and phone. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time.

Physical Demands include:

• Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time;
• Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, and office telephone 75% of the time;
• Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time;
• Ability to lift to 25 lbs.

Cognitive Requirements:

• This role requires clear and accurate communication, strong analytical skills, and the ability to evaluate information and make timely decisions.
• Sustained focus and attention to detail are essential, along with memory retention of policies, procedures, and facts over various time frames.
• Adaptability and mental flexibility are also necessary to handle changing information, work conditions, and unexpected challenges.

Travel:

Less than 10% in-state/out-of-state travel may be required.

Special Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future;
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check;
• Must possess a valid driver's license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.

EEO Statement:

The Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal or state law. CLO complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and provides equal opportunity in all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, training, discipline, and separation.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the