ATTORNEY II

Socket.dev; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 86,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking an Attorney II to provide legal counsel, conduct research, draft documents, and represent the agency in administrative and judicial proceedings. This mid-level position builds on Attorney I with more independent decision-making and complex case management.

The attorney will advise agencies on compliance, interpret laws, prepare pleadings, and participate in settlements and hearings, covering Sebastian County.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Two years of experience as an Attorney.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Arkansas.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance to state agencies on compliance, policy implementation, and statutory interpretation.
• Review legislation, administrative rules, and agency policies for legal sufficiency.
• Interpret state and federal laws, court decisions, and regulatory changes impacting 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.

Skills

Legal research

Litigation

Policy interpretation

Written/verbal communication

Analytical thinking

Time management

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctorate

Arkansas Bar License

Tools

Westlaw/LexisNexis

Job description

Position Number: 22133998
County: Benton; Washington
Posting End Date: September 8, 2026

Job Duties:

CLO Attorneys represent the Department in child maltreatment investigations, child welfare proceedings, foster care issues, adult protective services cases, and public guardianship cases. This position is for child welfare/foster care proceedings and adult protective cases. This position covers Sebastian County. CLO attorneys review affidavits, prepare court pleadings, prepare the clients for court, represent the agency in court, and prepare court orders. The attorney helps ensure all federal IV-E timelines are met and that the appropriate findings are made in court to draw down those funds.

Must be a licensed attorney in the State of Arkansas.

The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.

Position Information

Job Series: Attorneys – Career Path

Classification: Attorney II

Class Code: LAT04P

Pay Grade: SPC05

Salary Range: $85,943 - $127,195

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.