Assistant General Counsel - HR, Labor & Contracts

Taleo; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 72,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Montana Department of Justice is seeking an Assistant General Counsel in Helena to provide legal counsel across human resources, labor relations, fiscal matters, procurement, and contracts. The role involves supporting the General Counsel, performing legal research, and assisting in litigation preparation and management.

The ideal candidate holds a JD from an ABA-accredited law school, admission to the Montana Bar, and at least two years of specialized law and lead litigation experience.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to and maintenance of licensure from the State Bar of Montana.

Responsibilities

• Advises on human resources, labor relations, fiscal matters, procurement and contracts.
• Represents the Department in related legal proceedings.
• Drafts and files pleadings, motions, briefs and discovery in litigation matters.
• Researches questions of law and prepares legal opinions and memos.
• Assists with defending the Department in HR and labor relations disputes.

Skills

Specialized law and lead litigation

Education

Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school

State Bar of Montana license

Job description

Job Description - Assistant General Counsel (26142329)

Position Title:

Assistant General Counsel - ( 26142329 )

Division Overview:

TheCentral Services Division(CSD) team works in partnership with agency divisions providing coaching on human resource policies and procedures, financial management and adherence to fiscal responsibility. We value and respect our fellow team members across the Montana Department of Justice.

Job Overview :

The Assistant General Counsel will provide support services to other areas of the Department as needed by the General Counsel. These duties include advising on human resources, labor relations, fiscal matters, procurement, and contracts, as well as representing the Department in related legal proceedings.

Responsibilities:

Human Resources and Labor Relations: Assists with advising department management and human resources staff in all areas relating to the hiring, management, discipline, and/or discharge of Department employees. Assists with providing legal counsel on collective bargaining and labor relations matters.

Policy Review and Compliance: Assists with reviews Department HR policies and procedures for legal sufficiency and compliance with state and federal statutory requirements. Updates CSD HR staff on new and anticipated changes in statutes, administrative regulations, and case law, and suggests necessary policy changes.

Fiscal, Budget, and Contract Review: Assists the CSD Fiscal and Budget staff in all areas relating to fiscal, budget, and procurement, including the application of state and federal laws. Reviews, revises, and/or prepares various contracts, service agreements, IT service and support agreements, leases, and other operational documents for legal sufficiency.

Legal Research: Researches questions of law as required and prepares legal opinions, memoranda of conclusions, and reports at the direction of the General Counsel.

Litigation and Representation: Assists in defending the Department in all legal proceedings relating to human resources and labor relations, including but not limited to discrimination claims, disciplinary and/or discharge challenges, and unfair labor practice charges.

Litigation Management: Drafts and files pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery in litigation matters and maintains appropriate scheduling of court or other tribunal appearances. Creates other litigation documents, settlement proposals, and interim letters to the court and all parties. Prepares Department management, staff, and other parties as witnesses for hearings and trials.

Information Management: Drafts legal memoranda and reports. Assists in evaluating and answering all official requests for information, including subpoenas, public information requests, and other inquiries.

This position is open until filled. First review of candidates will be on 10/8/2026.

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school.

Admission to and maintenance of licensure from the State Bar of Montana.

Two years of specialized law and lead litigation experience.

If licensed in another state, must be able to become licensed to practice law in Montana within a reasonable time. Individuals with 5 years of practice in another state in good standing are eligible to be admitted on motion. Bar Admission Rules

• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Special Instructions:

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the résumé, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

Criminal History Fingerprint / Name-based Check.

Driving History

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a resume and cover letter at the time of application.

Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a “Relevant File”.

Your Resume: Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position.Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

Your Cover Letter: How do your qualifications and experience directly correlate to the duties of this position and what makes you the best candidate for the job?

A complete online state application is not required.To initiate an application, attach the resume to be considered for this position.Failure to attach résumé will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays

This Organization Participates in E-Verify .

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : Not Applicable

Salary: $

52.07 - 57.01 Hourly Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

Number of Openings

: 1 Employee Status : Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

: Standard

Shift

Shift

: Day Job

Travel

: Yes, 10 % of the Time

Primary Location

Primary Location

: Helena Agency : Department of Justice Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Posting Date

: Sep 24, 2026, 3:40:04 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Ongoing

Required Application Materials : Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name : Human Resources | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.