Deputy General Counsel

WV Parkways Authority; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Governor of West Virginia seeks a Deputy General Counsel to provide executive‑level legal counsel, strategic policy support, and robust legal analysis to the Governor, staff, and agency leadership.

The ideal candidate possesses strong administrative and constitutional law knowledge, sharp analytical abilities, and a deep commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active WV State Bar in good standing or eligible for admission.
• 3–5 years of complex legal practice with administrative or constitutional focus.
• Strong written and oral communication; able to work under tight deadlines with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to the Governor and executive staff on constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and executive orders.
• Advise cabinet secretaries and state departments to align actions with policy priorities and legal mandates.
• Draft, review, and analyze proposed legislation; advise on constitutional and policy implications.
• Draft and finalize Executive Orders and proclamations.
• Oversee responses to FOIA requests and ensure compliance with open meetings and procurement laws.
• Draft, review, and negotiate state contracts, MOUs, and interstate compacts.

Skills

Legal research

Policy analysis

Written communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Nature of Work

Position Overview

The Office of the Governor is seeking a highly skilled, motivated, and collaborative attorney to serve as Deputy General Counsel. This critical role reports directly to the General Counsel and provides executive-level legal counsel, strategic advice, and policy support to the Governor, executive staff, and state agency leadership. The ideal candidate possesses sharp analytical skills, a strong grasp of administrative and constitutional law, and a deep commitment to public service.

Examples of Work

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, timely, and actionable legal advice to the Governor and executive staff on state and federal constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and executive orders.

• Provide strategic counsel to cabinet secretaries and state departments to align agency actions with the administration's policy priorities and legal mandates.

• Review, analyze, and draft proposed legislation. Advise the Governor on the legal implications, constitutionality, and policy impacts of bills passed by the Legislature.

• Draft, review, and finalize Executive Orders, proclamations, and other official legal instruments issued by the Governor.

• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws; such as open meeting requirements, procurement regulations, freedom of information requests.

• Responsible for the processing and responses to Freedom of Information Act requests.

• Draft, review, and negotiate high-level state contracts, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and interstate compacts.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited school of law.

• Licensure:Active member in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar (or eligible for immediate admission).

• Experience:Minimum of 3–5 years of complex legal practice, with a strong preference for experience in administrative law, government operations, constitutional law, or legislative affairs.

• Skills:Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to perform rigorous legal research under tight deadlines; and strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.

Other Information

Salary:$110,000 to $125,000 (depending on qualifications)