Legal Counsel

At the State of Ohio we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits visit ourTotal Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off including vacation personal sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth Adoption and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds Public Service Loan Forgiveness and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS STRS SERS and HPRS)&Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services activities programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

This position isUnclassified per ORC 124.11 (A) (30)

Background check and drug screening required prior to employment

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Required: Bachelors degree and Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university
Required: holds a current law license and a certificate of good standing from the Supreme Court of Ohio

Experience
Required: 2-5 years of legal experience. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Proficiency in drafting reviewing and revising legal documents such as memos contracts policies and rules. Proficiency in conducting legal research analyzing statutes case law and legal precedents to provide informed legal opinions and recommendations.
Preferred: Experience working for an Ohio state or local government entity; Knowledge of Ohio public records law. Experience with or understanding of election law and/or experience with litigation as well as familiarity with the framework of the Ohio state government.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities
Knowledge
Understand applicable state and federal laws as well as administrative codes related to legal services.
Familiarity with Secretary of State (SOS) policies and procedures.

Skills
Establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues local boards of election government officials and the general public.
Communicate effectively on behalf of Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Chief Legal Counsel.
Demonstrate exceptional research writing and analytical skills.
Utilize proper research methods for data gathering including gathering collating and classifying information.
Maintain organized archival files and manage documentation systematically.
Support event coordination by managing logistics efficiently and preparing necessary materials.

Abilities
Interpret and follow a variety of instructions in written oral or pictorial formats.
Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy in work and adherence to deadlines.
Handle sensitive and confidential inquiries with professionalism and discretion.

Technology
Personal computer Microsoft Office 365 Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook; Lexis/Nexis

POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel and/or Deputy Chief Legal Services and in collaboration with the Legal Services team the Legal Counsel assists in the daily and strategic operational activities of the Legal Services team such as general legal research; the review and authoring of legal briefs memoranda and contracts; the review of pleadings motions affidavits legislations rules and pending litigation; and responding to SOS staff inquiries on legal matters policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential functions may include but are not limited to the following:

Legal Support and Research
Conducts legal research on election-related issues including Ballot language election administration Electoral process Tie-vote matters and Review of court decisions pertaining to election law
Prepares and reviews legal materials including contracts Handbooks manuals letters and correspondence

Complaint Management and Evaluation
Reviews notary complaints and drafts discipline letters
Evaluates and investigates complaints about board of election operations
Summarizes findings
Makes recommendations to supervisors

Public Engagement and Communication
Processes public records requests under supervision
Communicates with local boards of election government officials and the public
Prepares responses to legal inquiries
Collaborates with the Ohio Attorney Generals office on pending litigation

Event Coordination and Support
Assists with Secretary of State events
Scheduling and logistics
Program content preparation
Works with legal staff and other SOS division staff during events

Document Management and Archiving
Maintains archival litigation files
Monitors retention archival confidentiality and destruction of documents
Organizes documents and correspondence
Monitors news sources for developments relevant to Legal Services

Administrative Support
Reviews and responds to emails for Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Chief Legal Counsel
Performs other duties as assigned

LEGAL COUNSEL

About Us:

As Ohios Secretary of State Frank LaRose is doing his part to deliver a thriving democracy and a prosperous economy for all his role as the states chief elections officer he is working to ensure that Ohios elections are both secure and accessible. And as the first stop for new businesses in the Buckeye State he is assisting entrepreneurs as they receive articles of incorporation for a new business.