Assistant General Counsel

 

Nature of Work

Under the direction of the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement, performs advanced and complex legal work related to laws impacting DHHR programs and any additional applicable laws. Performs other duties as assigned. This position is located in the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement State Office.

Examples of Work

·         Drafts and reviews legal pleadings or briefs on complex cases or regulatory issues.

·         Reviews and approves a variety of contracts.

·         Performs legal research and provides legal recommendations to the General Counsel.

·         Responds to inquiries from the public and answers Freedom of Information Act requests as required.

·         Responds to inquiries from state and federal agencies as required.

·         Provides direction to other attorneys on such matters as trial procedures, appellate procedures, Workers’ Compensation claims, employment/grievance/labor/compliance matters, Board of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM) cases and document approval.

·         Performs highly responsible legal work in connection with DHHR programs, title work, real estate transactions/matters, and complex state and federal privacy laws.

·         Coordinates litigation with the Attorney General’s office and outside counsel as required.

·         Advises the General Counsel and client regarding complex legal issues related to laws impacting DHHR programs.

·         Drafts accurate legal opinions, contracts, policies, and other required documents for review by the General Counsel.

·         Drafts and reviews BCSE legislation and rules.

·         Drafts and reviews data use agreements in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and other applicable federal and state privacy laws.

·         Reviews purchasing and grant documents.

·         Determines further appeal of contested cases and makes recommendations to supervisor concerning final clearance.

·         Consults with agency staff on the interpretation of court opinions and statutes, the application of rules and regulations, and related matters where a serious legal issue is involved.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

·         Knowledge of statutes, court opinions, and Attorney General opinions.

·         Knowledge of general law.

·         Knowledge of judicial procedures, legislative procedure, and bill preparation.

·         Knowledge of government operation.

·         Skill in written and oral communication.

·         Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, and present such materials in a clear and logical form for oral or written presentation.

·         Ability to perform complex legal work in the drafting of legal instruments, proposed legislation and legal opinions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Admission to practice law in the State of WV.

Experience:

Five years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid employment in the practice of law.

Substitution for Experience:

One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid employment as an attorney with the agency to which assigned shall be considered equivalent to two years’ experience.