Chief of Legal Services

State of careers Rhode Island; Junior (WV); On-site; USD 118,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission seeks a Chief of Legal Services to lead the legal division, provide strategic legal guidance, and oversee enforcement actions. The role requires JD and Rhode Island Bar membership, with responsibility for policy development, legal opinions, and administration of a staff of attorneys.

Primary duties include directing legal services, drafting regulations, and representing the agency in state and federal cases; extensive supervisory and policy-formulation

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of Rhode Island General Laws administered by the department.
• Ability to interpret laws and prepare opinions; draft briefs, rulings, and legal documents.
• Ability to draft regulations with force of law and lead a legal staff.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal officer for a state department with staff providing legal advice.
• Draft statements of policy and provide legal assistance to officials as required.
• Supervise staff of attorneys and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

Skills

Independent judgement

Policy drafting

Staff supervision

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree

Job description

Department

Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission

Division

Legal

Salary

$118,458.00 - $137,547.00

Job Profile

JC-02991700-99 - Chief of Legal Services (Non-Union Executive Branch)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm

35 Hours - Non-Standard

Job Requisition Number

JR104118 Chief of Legal Services (Open)

Pay Grade

C00141 A

Classification

Chief of Legal Services

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To serve as the chief legal officer for a state department or agency with responsibility for directing the work of a staff engaged in providing legal advice and services; to participate in the formulating of overall policy and to draft statements of such policies; to provide legal assistance to officials as required in the execution of their responsibilities; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the administrative direction of a superior with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative; work is reviewed for results obtained and conformance to established policies, provisions of laws, rules and regulations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs the work of a staff composed of legal as well as stenographic positions; reviews work in progress or upon completion for proficiency and conformance to law, rules and regulations.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• To serve as chief legal officer for a state department or agency with responsibility for directing the work of a staff engaged in providing legal advice and services.
• To participate in the formulation of overall policy and draft statements of such policies.
• To provide legal assistance to officials as required in the execution of their responsibilities.
• To be responsible for the work of a staff engaged in:
• providing legal opinions to agency staff personnel; preparing draft material for proposed amendments to the acts administered by department or agency; and drafting rules and regulations concerning the provisions of such acts; developing manuals of precedents based upon policy statements for the guidance of all individuals making decisions under such acts; preparing legal guides on specific matters for agency personnel; and developing and planning a legislative program.
• To prosecute cases before federal and state courts.
• To participate in the formulation and effectuation of overall legal policy.
• To be responsible for the planning and programming of divisional activities; and to coordinate legal services with overall departmental or agency functions.
• To represent the Director as required.
• To supervise and conduct administrative adjudication proceedings and various hearings, together with subsequent judicial enforcement actions as necessary.
• To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of the provisions of the Rhode Island General Laws administered by the department; the ability to interpret the provisions of such laws and to prepare opinions relating thereto for the use in the administration of the functions of the department; the ability to prepare or direct the preparation of briefs, rulings and miscellaneous legal documents; the ability to draft rules and regulations having the force and effect of law while remaining consistent with the purpose and provisions of the law; the ability to exercise independent judgement in making decisions in unusual cases involving legal matters; the ability to plan, organize, coordinate and direct the work of a staff of workers including attorneys engaged in handling departmental matters of a legal nature; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Graduation from an accredited law school; and

Experience: Considerable employment in a responsible administrative and supervisory capacity within a legal services program involving the interpretation of law and the application of pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies and decisions.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant must be a member of the Rhode Island Bar and must maintain such membership as a condition of employment.

Class Revised: December 22, 1985

Editorial Review: 3/15/2003

Class Revised: April 9, 2023

Supplemental Information

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Cannabis Office’s chief legal compliance and enforcement officer.
• Provide daily legal guidance and strategic advice to the Administrator, Chief Regulatory Officer, and Cannabis Office staff.
• Develop agendas and lead internal legal meetings, including inspection, compliance, and enforcement discussions.
• Manage administrative compliance and enforcement proceedings, including pre-hearing conferences, discovery, hearings, and related matters.
• Defend the Administrator, Cannabis Office, and staff in litigation and administrative actions before state and federal courts.
• Develop legal strategies, policies, and procedures to address compliance deficiencies and enforcement issues identified by auditors and inspectors.
• Advise on administrative penalties, including fines, license suspensions, and revocations.
• Draft and review enforcement documents, including Deficiency Notices, Corrective Action Notices, Consent Agreements, and Orders to Show Cause.
• Identify gaps in enforcement processes and collaborate with staff to develop solutions, guidance documents, notices, and legal correspondence.
• Participate in meetings with leadership and licensees regarding investigations and enforcement actions.
• Review and respond to correspondence, inquiries, and documents requiring legal oversight.
• Manage Access to Public Records Act (APRA) requests, including review, processing, and responses.
• Research legal issues and prepare memoranda, briefs, and legal opinions concerning agency operations and enforcement strategies.
• Collaborate with Cannabis Office and Commission staff to develop and improve agency functions and processes.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree.
• Membership in good standing with the Rhode Island Bar.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of cannabis establishment licensing and operational requirements.
• Basic understanding of cannabis seed-to-sale tracking requirements.

Benefits

For information regarding thebenefits available to State of RhodeIsland employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits’ website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised thata new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.