Junior Attorney

Introduction

Introduction The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Office of Legal Affairs is seeking a motivated Junior Attorney (Staff Attorney 1 (confidential)) to join our legal team with a primary focus on managing electronic discovery (e-discovery), handling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), regulatory audits or investigations, state or federal law enforcement subpoenas or document requests, internal investigations, data breach responses, leading large-scale document productions for collective bargaining and labor relations matters, litigation and regulatory matters, coordinating and assisting the preparation of witness testimony, and assisting staff’s compliance with state record retention laws.

This role suits an extremely detail-oriented, tech-savvy junior attorney who thrives in structured, high-volume review workflows. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between legal strategy and technical execution, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in data-heavy matters.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Our State Employee Benefits Overview page
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• This is a full time (40 hours per week) position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways.
• LOCATION: Office of Policy and Management
• ADDRESS: 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
• WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
• SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday

ABOUT US

At the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM), we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.

Learn more about making an impaCT by watching the video below:

Purpose of job class (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Policy and Management this class is accountable for receiving on the job training in all aspects of agency legal work.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Key Responsibilities

• E-Discovery & Physical Record Management: Oversee end-to-end e-discovery of electronically stored information (ESI) and physical record workflows, including ESI data collection, processing, culling, search term formulation, and quality control (QC) protocols, preparation of privilege logs for administrative, state or federal court proceedings using review platforms like Everlaw™, Relativity™, Casepoint™, Nextpoint™, CaseMap™, or similar tools.
• FOIA & Public Records: Draft, review, and coordinate responses to state FOIA requests, applying statutory exemptions, redactions, and preparing privilege logs accurately.
• Large Document Production: Manage the systematic review, tagging, privilege review, and production of massive document sets for depositions, trials, and administrative, state or federal hearings.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate with senior litigators, merits counsel, and internal IT and outside technology/vendor teams to ensure productions meet strict court or agency deadlines.
• Drafting & Compliance: Prepare privilege logs, production summaries, procedural motions, and legal memoranda regarding discovery disputes.
• Witness Preparation: Coordinate and assist senior attorneys in the preparation of witness testimony.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut;
• legal research techniques;
• the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and civil procedures;
• and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
• relevant agency policies and procedures;
• the rules of evidence;
• collective bargaining and labor relations matters;
• criminal and constitutional law and legislative process;
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statues;
• comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A degree from an accredited law school.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active license in good standing to practice law in the State of Connecticut (or eligibility to waive in / good standing with the Connecticut bar).
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree received from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Proven demonstrated experience in written legal argument or client communication.
• Proven demonstrated hands on experience working with e-discovery platforms (such as Everlaw™, Relativity™, Casepoint™, Nextpoint™, CaseMap™, or similar review tools) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 Suite, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat.
• Proven demonstrated experience using Westlaw™, Lexis Nexis™, Fastcase™, or similar legal research tools.
• Proven demonstrated experience managing the systematic review, tagging, privilege review, and production of massive document sets for depositions, trials, and administrative, state or federal hearings.
• Experience or coursework in Employment, Labor, Collective Bargaining, Litigation, Artificial Intelligence, and Record Retention practices and laws.
• Legal experience, with demonstrated experience or exposure via coursework, legal clinics, or clerkships to (i) civil procedure, (ii) e-discovery, (iii) litigation support, (iv) trial practice, (v) administrative/FOIA law, or (vi) all listed items.
• Experience or coursework in (i) Employment & Labor, (ii) Tort, (iii) Administrative, or all applicable listed law practice areas.
• Experience in operationalizing technical litigation support.
• Experience writing clear, effective legal arguments or client correspondence.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing analytical skills, maintaining attention to detail, managing deadlines, and communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. Individuals who meet the qualifications and requirements for admission under Section 2-13 of the Connecticut Practice Book must become admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not 'assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law'. Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
• May be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.