Assistant General Counsel

State of Oklahoma; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 90,180 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous state-paid benefits allowance

Flexible spending accounts for health care

Retirement Savings Plan with generous match

Paid vacation and sick leave

Employee discounts with vendors

Job summary

The State of Oklahoma is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to provide legal counsel to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. This role involves advising on tax laws, handling litigation, and conducting legal research.

Candidates must possess a J.D. from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice in Oklahoma. The position offers a salary range of $90,180-$126,000, along with a generous state-paid benefits package.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school required.
• Licensed to practice law in Oklahoma required.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and advice on policy and procedure.
• Conduct legal research and prepare documentation.
• Litigate cases in administrative hearings and district courts.
• Mentor and oversee lower-level staff.

Skills

Critical thinking

Conducting legal research

Written and oral communication

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Sound judgment

Decision making

Case preparation

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma

Active member of the State Bar of Oklahoma

Job description

Salary Range

$90,180-$126,000 - commensurate with experience

Job Summary

Under the direction of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels or other Division Directors, the Assistant General Counsel (AGC) provides legal counsel to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. This work includes advising on policy and procedure, litigation, legal research, contract negotiation and drafting, and monitoring legislative developments. The role involves preparing and litigating cases of varying complexity, with opportunities to progressively handle more challenging matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyzes factual and legal issues; conducts legal research
• Confers with taxpayers and tax representatives to resolve delinquencies, to explain tax reporting requirements, and to answer questions regarding taxpayer accounts
• Writes briefs, motions, orders, and other documents in preparation for or incidental to the hearing of a case
• Advises managers and other relevant personnel on administrative and operational rules, laws, and procedures to include but not limited to agency policy, federal and state laws, and other regulatory mandates required for the agency to conduct business
• Reviews policies, procedures, and other related legal questions for the agency
• Leads and/or participates in conferences with other legal counsel and reviews the opinions and suggestions of other staff attorneys
• Prepares and presents the agency’s case in administrative hearings and cases involving litigation of the collection of state taxes before a district court
• Participates in pre-hearing conferences, conducts discovery, examines and cross-examines witnesses, argues motions before the Court or hearing officer and summarizes the agency’s case
• Prepares reports, exhibits and legal memoranda from the records and hearings outlining the factual and legal issues and recommends disposition of a current case
• Examines or interviews petitioners, claimants, and defendants involved in administrative proceedings of the agency and court proceedings brought by the agency
• Drafts and/or comments on proposed legislation or changes in regulations
• Prepares and presents appeals, in both written and oral form, to higher courts of record
• Performs related work as required and assigned
• Mentors or oversees lower-level staff and projects within an assigned area in an effective and professional manner, as assigned
• Provides training, guidance and support to staff, as assigned

Complexity of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Comprehensive Knowledge of

• Applicable state and federal tax laws
• Applicable state administrative code regulations
• Constitutional law and the Oklahoma Constitution
• Agency policies and procedures
• Trial and hearing procedures
• Rules of evidence
• Methods and techniques for conducting legal research
• Legal principles and their application

Strong Skills in

• Critical thinking
• Conducting legal research
• Written and oral communication
• Microsoft Office
• Attention to detail
• Sound judgment
• Decision making
• Case preparation

Ability to

• Present statements of fact and law
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws
• Clearly and logically articulate position in written and oral form
• Analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures
• Direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems
• Manage multiple priorities while ensuring compliance with tax laws/statutes and deadlines
• Develop briefings, presentations, and reports
• Represent the division and agency with professionalism and integrity
• Problem‑solve in a team environment
• Persuade others
• Develop consensus in a team environment

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma
• Active member of the State Bar of Oklahoma

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Preference may be given to candidates who have extensive legal experience with tax laws.

Benefits

• Generous state‑paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre‑existing condition exclusions or limitations.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
• A Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• 15 days of paid vacation and 15 days of sick leave for full‑time employees the first year.
• 11 paid holidays a year.
• Paid maternity leave for eligible employees.
• Employee discounts with a variety of companies and vendors.
• A longevity bonus for years of service.

Physical Demands

Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity and hand‑eye coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment; ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels; ability to communicate clearly; physical ability to lift up to 15 pounds, to bend, stoop, climb stairs, walk and reach. Duties are normally performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.

Special Requirements

Travel is required for this position. Applicants must have reliable transportation and be willing and able to perform all job‑related travel, and possess a valid Oklahoma State Driver’s License. Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the schedule may require minor flexibility. Telework may be required; applicants must be willing and able to work both on‑site and from an off‑site location with a secure internet connection and a dedicated telephone or smart phone device during scheduled working hours.

Additional Notes

This position has access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) and is required to uphold the strictest standards of confidentiality as an essential part of its responsibilities. All offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a fingerprint‑based background check, reference check, and federal and state tax compliance check.

All requests for changes in duties, responsibilities, or activities are at the discretion of the agency; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.