Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation seeks a Deputy General Counsel to assist the General Counsel in daily management, policy decisions, and legal services. The role emphasizes senior-level legal oversight of agency rules, litigation, and staff supervision.

The position involves directing legal staff, drafting complex rules, and advising on open government and regulatory issues. Onsite with limited telecommuting, it reports to the General Counsel and leads strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• J.D. or LL.B. from an accredited law school is required.
• Active Texas bar license in good standing required.
• Seven years in administrative law with at least three in rulemaking.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and work extra hours.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate legal advice on agency laws and rules.
• Supervise legal support staff and plan personnel actions.
• Draft and review complex administrative rules.
• Represent department in litigation with AG's Office.
• Testify at hearings and advise on policy decisions.
• Assist in budgeting, strategic planning, and legislative bills.

Skills

Legal leadership

Administrative law

Regulatory enforcement

Litigation experience

Policy development

Education

J.D. or LL.B.

Texas Bar admission

Tools

MS Office

Adobe

Legal research databases

Job description

Working title: Deputy General CounselClass title: General Counsel IVPosting No.: 0810-26Opening Date: 08/19/2026Class Code: 3524EFLSA: Exec-ExemptSalary Group/Salary: B32, $170,000.04 - $175,000.08/yr.Division: General CounselNumber of positions: 1

General Description

The Deputy General Counsel performs highly advanced and managerial (senior-level) legal, administrative, and analytical work. Assists the General Counsel in the day-to-day management of the General Counsel Division and is responsible, in conjunction with the General Counsel, for selecting and supervising legal support staff and assistant general counsel(s). Work involves directing, planning, and coordinating a variety of legal management and support activities, as well as interpreting laws and rules, preparing and/or approving legal documents, rendering legal advice and counsel, drafting complex administrative rules, and delivering accurate legal advice to the agency and/or commission to ensure prompt and effective actions involving the provision of legal services and administrative rulemaking. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May serve as acting General Counsel in the General Counsel’s absence. This position is primarily in-office, with limited telecommuting days available based on team and agency needs. Regular onsite attendance is considered an essential function of this position. This position reports to the General Counsel.

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers effective, accurate, and efficient legal advice to the Department and/or Commission on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of agency laws and rules. Provides legal advice to the Department and/orCommission on policy decision making and identifies appropriate legal solutions and input on the development of programs and procedures.
• Under the supervision of the General Counsel, plans, directs, and supervises the work of legal support staff and/or assistant general counsel(s) in the delivery of agency legal services. Provides guidance and mentoring;approves leave requests and time entries; develops, consults on, and recommends personnel actions andensures accurate and timely appraisals and meaningful developmental opportunities for each reporting employee.
• Coordinates the drafting and review of, or drafts and reviews complex administrative rules and procedures for the statutory areas regulated by the agency.
• Represents the Department and/or Commission in litigation or potential litigation brought by or against the Department and/or Commission, and in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General in civil and criminal actions.
• May testify at hearings (including legislative hearings) and trials. Reviews and advises on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of laws and regulations affecting Departmental administration and operations, its policies, and the policies and operations of the Commission and advisory boards.
• Prepares and/or approves final interagency contracts, documents of Department purchases, sales, or leases of property, and other contractual obligations of the Department.
• Advises and provides guidance to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, the executive office, and agency staff on pending hearings and cases, bills, and laws affecting the agency, open government regulations, the agency’s administrative rules, ethics questions, legal risks, and sensitive legal matters.
• Represents the Office of the General Counsel before the Commission, and other internal and external groups, regarding section, program, and agency issues.
• Assists in the preparation and monitoring of the Department's Strategic Plan, appropriation requests, budget, and performance reports.
• Coordinates the drafting and review of, or drafts and reviews bills and amendments for legislative consideration.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is required.
• Currently licensed to practice law in Texas and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas is required.
• Seven (7) years of experience in administrative law with at least three of those years in administrative rulemaking procedures is required.
• Willingness to work extra hours as required.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as required.
• Considerable supervisory and administrative management experience is preferred.
• Experience in litigation is preferred.
• Experience in enforcement activities is preferred.
• Experience with contracts, competitive procurements, and transactional matters is preferred.
• Experience with open government administration is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Adobe, and legal databases is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of general legal principles, practices, and proceedings and of laws, rules and regulations relating to TDLR.
• Knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act, Public Information Act, Open Meetings Act, and Texas Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure.
• Skill in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; and in reconciling differences.
• Skill in the use of office equipment, computers, and applicable software including MS Office, Adobe, and legal databases.
• Ability to prepare and/or oversee the drafting of legal documents.
• Ability to conduct research.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws.
• Ability to use a common-sense approach to analyze, evaluate, and summarize legal issues and findings.
• Ability to present legal issues, findings, and recommendations in a clear and concise manner to agency personnel and other individuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop creative and innovative solutions to legal questions.
• Ability to exhibit a management style that motivates staff to levels of high productivity.
• Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with internal and external customers.
• Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to formulate, coordinate, and establish policies and procedures.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Must be able to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work well in stressful situations under strict deadlines.
• Must be able to type and operate standard office equipment and computer software.
• Must be able to lift boxes weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision, with or without glasses or contacts.
• Ability to hear a forced whisper in the better ear at 5 ft., with or without a hearing aid.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes

Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a MOS or additional duties or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are encouraged to apply.

Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:

SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION

In accordance with legislation effective September 1, 1999, male candidates aged 18 to 25 are required to show proof of selective service registration (or exemption) prior to an offer of employment. Such proof is not required to be filed with an application but must be provided upon request by the Human Resources office.

E-VERIFY

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

TDLR is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those currently on student or post-graduate visas. All candidates must be approved to work in the United States by E-Verify and must present the needed documentation upon request.

TDLR IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TDLR will provide reasonable accommodation. If you are scheduled for an interview and require reasonable accommodation in the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview.Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

[e-mail]