Legal Counsel

General statement of duties: To serve as an attorney in a state office by providing legal advice and services; to serve as a hearing officer as assigned; and to do related work as required.
Supervision Received: Assignments are received from a superior with latitude for exercise of legal judgement and initiative; work is reviewed for results obtained and conformance to established policies, rules, regulations and provisions of law.
Supervision Exercised: May supervise the work of technical and clerical employees assigned to assist.
Illustrative Examples of Work Performed:

• To serve as a Legal Counsel in a state department or agency by providing legal advice and services.
• To serve as a hearing officer in the enforcement of laws, rules and regulations.
• To conduct legal research in regards to a variety of issues or the presentation of cases in court.
• To provide legal opinions to agency staff personnel.
• To draft rules, regulations, laws and amendments thereto.
• To prepare detailed reports and recommendations on legal matters.
• To develop and maintain legal services programs for client groups.
• To represent the agency in court and to prepare the necessary briefs and legal papers.
• To coordinate activities with other Legal Counsels and various state agencies.
• To do related work as required.

Required Qualifications for Appointment:
Knowledges, Skills and Capacities: A working knowledge of the methods, practice and procedures of governmental law; the ability to interpret the provisions of state and federal law and to prepare opinions relating thereto for use in the administration of the functions of the department; the ability to function as a hearing officer; the ability to prepare briefs, rulings and miscellaneous legal documents; the ability to draft rules and regulations having the force and effect of law while remaining consistent with the purpose and provisions of the law; the ability to exercise independent judgement in making decisions in unusual cases involving legal matters; the ability to prepare detailed reports and recommendations; and related capacities and abilities.
Education and Experience:

• Education: Such as may have been gained through: graduation from an accredited Law School; and
• Experience: Such as may have been gained through: employment in a responsible capacity within a legal services program involving the interpretation of law and the application of pertinent laws, rules regulations, polices and decisions.
• Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Special Requirements: Applicant must be a member of the Rhode Island Bar and must maintain such membership as a condition of employment.