GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The State Office of Risk Management is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to serve as a key leader within the Legal Services Division. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this position will be the division’s second-in-command and play a critical role advising agency leadership on complex legal, regulatory, and operational matters.

The Deputy General Counsel will provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and agency personnel on issues involving risk management, insurance programs, workers’ compensation, administrative law, governance, and statutory compliance. Responsibilities include conducting legal research; drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legal documents; and advising on the Texas Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, employment law, legislation, procurement, contracting, and administrative procedures.

This position oversees legal operations and workflows, supervises legal staff, manages litigation and administrative proceedings, and leads or supports rulemaking and policy development. Additional duties include drafting governance standards, preparing statutory and regulatory reports, and ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The Deputy General Counsel may also represent the agency in legal, regulatory, and policy matters as assigned.

This role requires sound legal judgment, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across divisions and leadership levels.

As a state employee, you are automatically enrolled in the state’s retirement plan and are eligible for additional health insurance benefits.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Acts on behalf of the General Counsel in their absence; supervises legal staff and manages day-to-day legal operations and workflows within the Legal Services Division.
• Provides expert legal advice and guidance to the Board of Directors, Executive Director, General Counsel, and other agency stakeholders on statutory, regulatory, governance, and operational matters.
• Reviews, drafts, revises, and approves contracts, administrative rules, agency policies, and other legal documents; monitors procurement and contract compliance.
• Represents the agency in litigation and administrative proceedings; coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General; serves as a management resource on labor and employment law matters.
• Monitors and analyzes legislation; supports preparation of statutory reports, strategic planning documents, and legislative submissions.
• Identifies and responds to legal risks affecting agency operations; advises leadership on open government requirements, applicable legal precedent, ethical considerations, and regulatory guidelines.
• Performs related work as assigned.
• Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions.
• Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule.
• Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information.
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas. Must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Experience: Minimum of four years of full-time experience in the practice of law. *Law clerk experience can be counted toward the legal experience.
• Experience providing legal counsel to management or senior leadership.
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; state and federal laws, regulations, and rules; legal codes, court procedures, precedents, executive orders, and agency rules.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government law, and Texas state agency contracting and procurement.
• Skill in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Skill in legal research and analysis, including use of Westlaw and other legal resources.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines.
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of others.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to devise solutions to agency issues.
• Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel.
• Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA.
• Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 10%.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in Texas state government.
• Supervisory or management experience in a legal setting.
• Experience with rulemaking, legislative analysis, or the Texas legislative process.
• Experience with the State Procurement Process.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Texas workers’ compensation law; administrative law; insurance law; labor and employment law; open government law; or enterprise risk management law.
• Experience providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

TO APPLY
All applications for employment with the State Office of Risk Management must be submitted electronically through www.WorkInTexas.com. A State of Texas application in WorkInTexas (WIT) must be completed to be considered OR Submit a State of Texas Application for Employment to: Attn: Elaina Middleton, State Office of Risk Management, P.O. Box 13777, Austin, TX 78711-3777. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

THE SORM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER