ATTORNEY II

State of Arkansas; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 86,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Paid state holidays

Maternity leave

Job summary

State of Arkansas seeks a mid-level attorney to provide counsel to agencies, draft orders and pleadings, and conduct hearings in administrative and judicial proceedings. The Attorney II role requires independent decision-making, strong legal analysis, and effective advocacy.

The position emphasizes regulatory interpretation, contract review, and representation in settlements, with a broad scope across child welfare and adult protective services matters.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Two years of experience as an Attorney.
• Arkansas Bar admission or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to state agencies, boards and commissions on compliance and policy implementation.
• Review proposed legislation, administrative rules and agency policies for legal sufficiency.
• Interpret state and federal laws, court decisions and regulatory changes affecting agency operations.
• Prepare and present cases in administrative hearings, state courts and appellate proceedings.
• Draft legal memoranda, contracts, interagency agreements, and official opinions.
• Advise agencies on ethics, public records and employment-related legal issues.

Skills

State laws & regs

Judicial procedures

Legal analysis

Oral & written advocacy

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Fastcase

Job description

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Position Number: 22109733
County: Washington
Posting End Date: October 26, 2026

A trial attorney is responsible for conducting research, preparing legal documents, and providing legal advice and opinions to the agency. The trial attorney will spend a significant amount of time in court conducting various hearings and an equally significant amount of time preparing orders, pleadings, and interviewing and advising agency clients regarding various cases. A trial attorney independently directs and conducts trials and advises on strategies and tactics relating to child welfare and/or adult protective services cases.

Preferred Qualifications:

Licensed to practice law and admitted to the Arkansas State Bar in accordance with ACA 16-22-201. The formal education equivalent of a law degree from an accredited law school; plus three years of experience practicing law. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management.

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.