Job Description

Posting number: 2026-05912

Department: Office of the Governor

Division: Office of the Governor

Job classification: EXEMPT

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Executive Management

Please Note: This recruitment will remain open until filled, with a first review of applicants on September 4th.

The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible. The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $135,000 - $170,000 annually. Our physical office is in Olympia, WA.We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position that allows teleworking. However, you may need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs.

Why work for the Office of the Governor?

As the Deputy Legal Counsel with the Washington State Governor’s Office, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel on a broad range of complex legal issues. This position assists with providing legal advice and strategic guidance to the Governor and Governor’s Office staff. The work is fast-paced, intellectually engaging, and driven by a commitment to public service.

The job opportunity

The Office of the Governor is seeking an accomplished attorney with exceptional legal analysis, writing, and communication skills, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to public service. This is a unique opportunity to advise the Governor on complex legal and policy issues that directly impact communities across Washington.

As Deputy Legal Counsel, you'll provide trusted legal advice and input on matters involving healthcare, immigration, public safety, infrastructure, and other emerging issues facing the executive branch. You'll also brief the Governor and senior staff, oversee litigation involving the Governor's Office and state agencies, evaluate candidates for judicial appointments, review State–Tribal compacts, and help manage the Governor's clemency process and public records responsibilities.

If you're looking for meaningful work, intellectual challenge, and the opportunity to shape decisions at the highest levels of state government, you'll join a collaborative legal team committed to excellence, integrity, and serving the people of Washington.

What you’ll work on:

• Research and advise on legal issues affecting the work of the Governor and the Governor’s office, including: the Governor’s powers and duties; proposed state legislation; state–federal relations; clemency; ethics; and public records.
• Provide written and in-person legal briefings to the Governor and Governor’s Office staff; provide trainings to staff on legal compliance issues.
• Monitor and guide litigation involving the Governor’s Office and significant legal disputes involving executive cabinet agencies, and coordinate with legal counsel at the Attorney General’s Office.
• Draft and review veto messages, executive orders and directives, proclamations, and other records of official actions.
• Assist in evaluating candidates for judicial appointments.
• Review and provide negotiation support for State–Tribal compacts.
• Assist in managing the office’s clemency and public records processes.
• Manage the office’s legal internship/externship program.

What we need you to bring:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school or successful completion of the WSBA’s Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.
• Active membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or eligibility to practice law in Washington at the time of appointment.
• Skill in conducting complex legal research, analyzing legal issues, and developing practical legal recommendations.
• Proficiency in drafting clear, accurate, and persuasive legal memoranda, briefing materials, executive documents, and other written work product.
• Sound judgment in identifying legal risks, evaluating potential consequences, and advising executive leadership on legally defensible courses of action.
• Ability to manage multiple complex, high-priority assignments simultaneously and deliver high-quality work within compressed timelines.
• Effectiveness in communicating complex legal concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, attorneys, policymakers, and non-legal staff.
• Experience with building collaborative working relationships across agencies, governmental entities, or multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to maintaining professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and ethical standards when handling sensitive or privileged information.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively as a member of a small, diverse team.
• A high level of motivation with the ability to work independently, be a team player, and seek opportunities for professional growth.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience advising government clients or working in state government.
• Civil legal experience with litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
• Criminal legal experience.
• Judicial clerkship experience.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Supplemental information

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects diversity in culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.