Assistant General Counsel

You will support the agency’s day-to-day operations by identifying legal issues and providing sound advice to agency staff. This position reports to the General Counsel for the agency and requires both independent work and collaboration. Your job duties will include but are not limited to:
• Provide general legal advice to the Office of the Ohio Public Defender.
• Conduct legal research of case and statutory law, state and/or federal law on a variety of complex legal issues, including preparing written opinions or memoranda.
• Draft advisory opinions on ethics, legal issues, and agency compliance with regulations.
• Proactively identify and respond to questions involving the Professional Rules of Conduct for Lawyers, Ohio Ethics Laws, the Ohio Administrative Code, Public Records Law, and other applicable laws.
• Review agency programs, policies, and practices for legal implications.
• Respond to public records requests and assist with agency public information activities, including support for media and communications goals.
• Assist in labor relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and the grievance process.
• Support the Attorney General’s Office in administrative hearings as needed.
• Other duties as assigned to include serving as backup to the agency’s General Counsel as needed.
Our ideal candidate will have demonstrated success problem-solving and brainstorming to find solutions that best serve the agency's personnel and clients. Strong knowledge of ethics law and administrative law is necessary, and experience as an attorney in state government providing legal counsel and advice to public officials is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate strong attention to detail, customer focus, ethics and values, and clear written communication, along with the ability to quickly conduct legal research, effectively assess risks and benefits, and multi-task while adapting to changing priorities.