ATTORNEY III

State of Arkansas; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 114,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkansas Department of Education seeks an Attorney III to handle complex legal matters and provide expert counsel to state agencies. This senior role leads litigation on high-impact regulatory issues and requires substantial legal experience and independent decision-making.

The attorney will advise agency leadership, draft and interpret statutes and contracts, and guide policy changes while mentoring junior staff and coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Five years of experience in litigation, regulatory compliance, governmental legal services, or related field.
• Licensed as an Attorney in the State of Arkansas.
• Strong knowledge of Arkansas state laws and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level legal advice and guidance to agency leadership, state boards, and commissions on complex legal and regulatory matters.
• Review, draft, and interpret statutes, regulations, contracts, and agency policies to ensure compliance with state and federal law.
• Lead and manage litigation efforts on behalf of the state, representing agencies in administrative hearings, state and federal courts, and appellate proceedings.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs, and present oral arguments when necessary.
• Supervise discovery, evidence gathering, and case preparation for high-profile cases.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of Arkansas state L

Regulatory frameworks

Legal research

Trial advocacy

Contract drafting

Oral & written advocacy

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Legal databases

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Position Number: 22124629
County: Pulaski
ADE
Join the Arkansas Department of Education where each student is recognized as an individual. Through a cultivation of world-class educators, partnering with communities, and an influx of social supports, Arkansas Department of Education provides multi-level supports that help ensure students will receive a personalized education and develop a life-long love of learning.

Position Information

Job Series: Attorneys – Career Path

Classification: Attorney III

Class Code: LAT05P

Pay Grade: SPC08

Salary Range: $114,390 - $169,298

Job Summary

The Attorney III is a senior-level legal professional within the state government, responsible for handling complex legal matters, providing expert legal counsel, leading litigation efforts, and advising state agencies on high-impact regulatory and policy issues. This position requires substantial legal experience, independent decision-making, and the ability to manage high-stakes cases and legal projects.

Primary Responsibilities

Provide high-level legal advice and guidance to agency leadership, state boards, and commissions on complex legal and regulatory matters.Review, draft, and interpret statutes, regulations, contracts, and agency policies to ensure compliance with state and federal law.Develop and implement legal strategies to mitigate risk and ensure adherence to applicable laws.Serve as a subject matter expert in specialized areas of law, such as administrative law, regulatory compliance, labor law, or constitutional law.Lead and manage litigation efforts on behalf of the state, representing agencies in administrative hearings, state and federal courts, and appellate proceedings.Develop legal arguments, draft pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs, and present oral arguments when necessary.Supervise discovery, evidence gathering, and case preparation for high-profile cases.Negotiate settlements, consent agreements, and dispute resolutions on behalf of the agency.Conduct legal research and analysis of state and federal laws, judicial rulings, and administrative decisions.Assist in drafting and reviewing proposed legislation, agency rules, and policy changes.Provide guidance on ethics, open records laws, procurement policies, and governmental operations.Monitor legal and regulatory trends to anticipate policy impacts and recommend proactive legal strategies.Provide guidance and mentorship to junior attorneys, legal staff, and administrative personnel.Lead legal training programs and workshops for agency employees on relevant legal topics.Collaborate with cross-functional teams, government officials, and external legal counsel on major legal matters.

Knowledge and Skills

Advanced knowledge of Arkansas state laws, administrative procedures, and regulatory frameworks.Strong legal research skills, with proficiency in legal databases.Experience in trial advocacy, case management, and appellate practice.Ability to draft and review contracts, memoranda, and legal policies with high attention to detail.Strong negotiation skills for settlements, contract negotiations, and agency agreements.Ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop effective legal strategies.Strong verbal and written communication skills to present legal arguments clearly and negotiate effectively.Ability to make sound legal decisions independently in high-pressure situations.Ability to prioritize multiple cases and projects while meeting deadlines.Ability to work cross-functionally with agency leadership, attorneys, and policymakers to achieve legal and policy objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, plus five years of experience in litigation, regulatory compliance, governmental legal services, or a related field.

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.