Ohio
Overview
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.
Responsibilities 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 General’s 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
Minimum Qualifications Education
Required: Bachelor’s 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
Responsibilities 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 General’s 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
Minimum Qualifications Education
Required: Bachelor’s 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr