ATTORNEY II

State of Arkansas; Conway (AR); On-site; USD 73,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Arkansas seeks an Attorney II, a mid-level legal professional, to provide legal counsel to state agencies, conduct research, draft documents, and represent the agency in administrative and judicial proceedings.

You will advance from Attorney I with more independent decision-making, case management, and complex legal analysis, while upholding ethics, public records duties, and compliance with state and federal laws.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Attorney license in Arkansas.
• At least two years of experience as an Attorney.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance to state agencies on compliance and policy.
• Review proposed legislation and regulatory changes for sufficiency.
• Prepare and present cases in administrative hearings and courts.
• Draft memoranda, contracts, and interagency agreements.
• Advise on ethics and public records issues.
• Monitor court rulings and legislative changes affecting agency procedures.

Skills

Legal research

Statutory interpretation

Drafting documents

Litigation & case management

Policy analysis

Written & verbal communication

Strategic legal advice

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Fastcase

Job description

Position Number: 22107389
County: Faulkner
Posting End Date: [[postingEndDate
Anticipated Starting Salary: $85,943
The mission of the Department of Finance and Administration is to provide Arkansas citizens convenient, effective, and courteous service which will encourage voluntary compliance with tax, license, and child support laws.

Job Summary

The Attorney II is a mid-level legal professional within the state government, responsible for providing legal counsel, conducting legal research, drafting documents, and representing the agency in administrative and judicial proceedings. This position builds upon the foundational legal knowledge of Attorney I by requiring more independent decision-making, case management, and complex legal analysis.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance to state agencies, boards, and commissions on matters of compliance, policy implementation, and statutory interpretation.
• Review and analyze proposed legislation, administrative rules, and agency policies for legal sufficiency.
• Interpret state and federal laws, court decisions, and regulatory changes that impact agency operations.
• Prepare and present cases in administrative hearings, state courts, and appellate proceedings.
• Assist in defending or prosecuting claims on behalf of the state.
• Develop legal arguments, draft pleadings, and participate in discovery processes.
• Represent the agency in settlement negotiations, mediation, and arbitration when applicable.
• Conduct in-depth legal research on statutory, regulatory, and constitutional issues.
• Draft legal memoranda, contracts, interagency agreements, and official opinions.
• Review and approve agency contracts, procurement agreements, and administrative decisions to ensure compliance with state laws.
• Advise agencies on ethics, administrative law, public records, and employment-related legal issues.
• Assist in developing and implementing regulatory policies to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
• Monitor and evaluate court rulings, attorney general opinions, and legislative changes that affect agency procedures.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of Arkansas state laws, administrative regulations, and judicial procedures.
• Advanced legal research skills, with proficiency in using legal databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase).
• Ability to draft and review legal documents, contracts, and policy statements with precision.
• Experience with litigation, case management, and dispute resolution processes.
• Ability to assess complex legal matters and develop sound legal strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey legal concepts to various stakeholders.
• Capacity to provide strategic legal advice and anticipate legal risks.
• Ability to manage multiple legal matters and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to advocate for the agency’s interests while working toward fair resolutions.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, plus two years of experience as an Attorney.

Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.

Licensure/Certifications

Must be licensed as an Attorney in the State of Arkansas. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

ONLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WITH WORK HISTORY WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Applications must include complete work history and references. A resume may accompany the state application but will not be substituted for any part of the application. False, misleading, or incomplete statements may result in disciplinary action and possible termination.

Veteran Preference: A copy of a DD-214 must be submitted to the Hiring Official at the time of interview to be considered for Veteran Preference.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS at [phone] or dhs.gov/e-verify.