Associate Legal Counsel - Staff Attorney 2

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Minnesota seeks an Associate Legal Counsel to support civil rights enforcement under a consent decree. You will apply legal expertise to draft memoranda, analyze policies, and negotiate resolutions involving MDHR, the City, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Responsibilities include representing MDHR with stakeholders, reviewing training materials, and addressing race-based policing and discrimination issues. Hybrid telework is available with on-site requirements as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and Minnesota license to practice law.
• Four years of experience in civil rights or anti-discrimination law, with memo drafting and settlement negotiations.
• Ability to draft policies and review procedures for legal sufficiency and feasibility.
• Alignment with the department’s mission and commitment to equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and provide guidance to support strategic compliance.
• Represent MDHR with key stakeholders involved in enforcement.
• Negotiate resolutions to legal disputes among MDHR, City, MPD, and monitoring team.
• Review and analyze policy and training documents.
• Serve as a legal resource on race-based policing and related issues under the Consent Decree.

Skills

Legal research

Negotiation

Policy analysis

Legal drafting

Court litigation knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor

Minnesota law license

Job description

Working Title: Associate Legal Counsel

Job Class: Staff Attorney 2

Agency: Human Rights Dept

• Job ID : 97356

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/01/2026

• Closing Date : 10/14/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Rights Dept / Human Rights-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Deputy General Counsel

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $39.22 - $58.35 / hourly; $81,891 - $121,834 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

On July 13, 2023, the Hennepin County District Court entered a court enforceable agreement between the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR), the City of Minneapolis (the City), and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) after an investigation by MDHR revealed a pattern or practice of race discrimination. The Court enforceable agreement requires the City and MPD to implement transformational changes to address race-based policing practices.

MDHR is responsible for enforcing the terms of the court enforceable agreement including the development and implementation of clear policies, trainings, and accountability systems. The court enforceable agreement requires an independent monitoring team to assess the City’s and MPD’s progress with implementing the terms of the agreement, and as the civil rights enforcement agency, MDHR assesses whether it agrees with the monitoring team’s assessments.

The Associate Legal Counsel will apply their legal expertise by:

• Conducting legal research and providing guidance to support strategic compliance.

• Representing MDHR with key stakeholders involved in the enforcement process.

• Negotiating resolutions to legal disputes involving MDHR, the City, MPD, and the monitoring team.

• Reviewing and analyzing policy and training documents.

• Serving as a legal resource on race-based policing, anti-discrimination law, and other complex legal issues relevant to the Consent Decree.

Hybrid Work Environment: This position is eligible for up to a 50% hybrid telework arrangement. With a telework agreement, onsite attendance will be required for team meetings or as requested by management to meet business needs. Completion of a telework agreement will be required. Please review the Telework Policy (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for details.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a current license to practice law in good standing in the State of Minnesota, plus four (4) years of experience in Minnesota civil rights or anti-discrimination law, including drafting legal memoranda and negotiating settlement agreements.

Applicants who meet the above will be further assessed on the following:

• Experience drafting, analyzing, and reviewing policies and procedures for legal sufficiency and operational feasibility.
• Ability to analyze complex issues and apply judgement to address multifaceted issues and determine best outcomes.
• Alignment with the Department’s vision, mission, and values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
• Experience with complex litigation, including enforcement of court ordered settlement agreements.
• Experience conducting all phases of state and/or federal court litigation.
• Demonstrated understanding of policing best practices.
• Experience drafting, analyzing, and reviewing policies and procedures for legal sufficiency and operational feasibility.
• Experience designing and reviewing training for non legal audiences, including curriculum development, evaluation, and program effectiveness measurement.
• Strong organizational, time management, relationship building, and consensus building skills, with the ability to navigate complex environments using emotional intelligence.

Additional Requirements

Successful applicants must pass employment reference checks prior to employment. A written assessment or work sample may be part of the interview process.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.