Job Overview
A legislative associate general counsel for the Utah Legislature is a lawyer who provides nonpartisan legal services to the Utah Legislature under the direction of the Legislature's general counsel. The Legislature's general counsel, deputy general counsel, and a team of more than 20 other lawyers, currently employed as managing, senior, and associate general counsels, provide nonpartisan legal services to all 104 members of the Legislature.
The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel is looking for an experienced litigator who can function effectively in a high pressure, fast-paced, political environment and represent the Legislature and legislators in court proceedings and disputes. Cases primarily involve dispositive motion practice and appellate proceedings with relatively little discovery or trial work. This position performs all legal work under the direction of the general counsel and reports to the deputy general counsel. This is a new position in the office and has a hybrid schedule of in-office and remote workdays; the schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the Legislature.
Responsibilities
- Represent in court and advocate on behalf of the Legislature, the majority and minority leadership of the House and Senate, the Legislature's committees, subcommittees, and task forces, individual legislators, each of the Legislature's staff offices and, under certain circumstances, individual legislative staff members.
- Supervise and coordinate with outside counsel to ensure the effective representation of legislative interests.
- When appropriate, handle litigation matters directly, including drafting pleadings, engaging in discovery, and representing legislative clients in court.
- Advise legislative clients on litigation strategy and options, exhibiting sensitivity to the clients’ political considerations.
- Negotiate settlements and other out-of-court resolutions.
- Develop and implement litigation-related policies and procedures to minimize risk and enhance efficiency, including policies and procedures related to litigation holds, electronic discovery, and case tracking.
- Prepare and present reports to senior staff and legislative leadership regarding litigation status, risks, and outcomes.
- Work closely with internal teams, including human resources and IT, to ensure a cohesive approach to matters that affect litigation.
- Stay abreast of relevant legal and policy developments that potentially impact litigation.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the general counsel or deputy general counsel.
Qualifications
- Be a current member of the Utah State Bar in good standing.
- Minimum six years of civil litigation experience, preferably involving state and federal constitutional issues.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the legislative process.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication and relationships.
- Demonstrate proficiency in:
- Writing;
- Legal analysis;
- Oral communication; and
- State and federal court rules and procedures.
Work Environment
Collaborative office environment with hybrid in-office and remote schedules.
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, leave, and retirement benefits (including a pension option). More information on benefits offered can be found here.
About the Organization
The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (OLRGC) is responsible for drafting and processing all legislation, performing policy research and analysis, providing legal counsel, and staffing legislative committees. It is one of four nonpartisan staff offices that serve the Utah Legislature. OLRGC is led by two legislatively appointed managers—the director and the legislative general counsel—each of whom is appointed for a six-year term. The director supervises the powers, functions and duties of OLRGC, while, pursuant to the Utah Constitution, the legislative general counsel provides and controls all legal services for the Legislature unless otherwise provided by statute.
OLRGC has four primary staff groups:
- Attorneys
- Policy Analysts
- Bill and Data Management Specialists
- Administrative Support
OLRGC staff work in subject matter-based teams to:
- Provide policy research and legal services to the Legislature.
- Draft and process all proposed legislation.
- Provide staff support for standing committees, interim committees, and other legislative committees, commissions, and task forces, including assisting these entities in accomplishing their respective policy objectives.
- Assist individual legislators with preparing information and materials needed for committee presentations and meetings with various stakeholders.
How to Apply
Send a cover letter and resume to Brennan Buell at [email protected]. Please include the job title (Associate General Counsel - Litigation) and job number (43971) in your email subject line to ensure a prompt response. Failure to submit both a cover letter and resume as attachments to your email may result in disqualification.
Supplemental Information
Employees in this position serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer in an at will status and may be terminated at any time without cause. This is not a career service position.
The State of Utah is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability. Reasonable accommodations provided to known disabilities of individuals in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For accommodation information or if you need special accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Brennan Buell ([email protected]).
Veteran's Preference (Utah Code Ann. 71A-2-102): An applicant claiming veteran's preference must do so in the body of the cover letter by providing sufficient information to identify the type of veteran's preference requested. Additionally, a copy of the applicant's DD-214 must be attached to the resume. If a disabled preference is claimed, a copy of the applicant's letter form the VA stating the disability percentage granted must also be attached.