ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - 81775

State of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Tennessee's Department of Human Services, Office of General Counsel, Nashville, is seeking an Associate Counsel to conduct litigation and legal research across DHS programs, and to provide legal advice to staff in multiple program areas.

This executive service position is hybrid, requiring an active Tennessee law license and experience in litigation. Travel within Tennessee may be required to support program operations.

Qualifications

• Active Tennessee license to practice law.
• 3+ years of continuous legal practice with a preference for litigation.

Responsibilities

• Represent DHS in litigation across the state.
• Provide legal advice and research for DHS staff.
• Work with Senior Associate Counsel on writing and research projects.
• Perform legal research of federal and state laws and regulations.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal research

Legal writing

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Travel willingness

Decision making

Team collaboration

Education

Tennessee Bar License

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Executive Service

Closing Date: 11/02/2026

This is a hybrid position

ASSOCIATE COUNSEL

Department of Human Services

Office of General Counsel

Nashville, TN

Annual Salary: $104,472.00 - $135,588.00

Closing Date: 11/02/2026

This is a hybrid position

Who We Are And What We Do

DHS Mission: Strengthen Tennessee by Strengthening Tennesseans

DHS Vision: To revolutionize the customer experience by growing capacity to reduce dependency.

DHS Values

• High Performance Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• A shared Vision
• Customer-Centered Solutions

Job Overview

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) is currently seeking experienced candidates for Associate Counsel in the DHS Office of General Counsel (OGC). The Associate Counsel will be primarily responsible for conducting litigation and legal research in DHS programmatic areas including adult protective services, child and adult care licensing, rehabilitation services, and other administrative areas for DHS. The Associate Counsel will be responsible providing legal advice and support to DHS staff in multiple program areas and internal support divisions. The position is Executive Service. The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice to DHS programs and support divisions, legal representation in judicial and administrative litigation affecting the department, prepares departmental rules, and prepares legislation for and analysis of legislation affecting the Department.

Key Responsibilities

• The Associate Counsel will represent DHS in litigation throughout the state in cases related to child and adult care licensing, adult protective services, vocational rehabilitation and other legal issues as assigned.
• This position is responsible for litigation in court and in administrative forums.
• The Associate Counsel will be responsible for consulting with program staff regarding legal issues involving childcare licensing and adult protective services and handling legal issues involving DHS as they arise.
• The Associate Counsel will be responsible for working directly with the Senior Associate Counsel on legal writing and research projects as assigned.
• The position requires legal research of federal and state laws, regulations and case law in multiple issues and preparation of memoranda advising DHS staff on issues affecting program operations.
• The Associate Counsel will need to possess the ability to perform assigned duties in a timely and accurate manner, be self-directed, and to produce accurate and thorough professional work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active License to practice law in Tennessee is required.

Preferred Skills

• 3+ years of continuous legal practice, with a strong preference for litigation experience.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Candidate must be able to work cooperatively with Department program staff in diverse areas and must be willing to work extra hours and days as necessary.
• Candidate must be willing to travel (throughout the state of Tennessee) on occasion.
• Ability to make timely and effective decisions in keeping with the goals and mission of the Department.
• No prior or pending disciplinary actions with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.