Deputy General Counsel

Missouri Attorney General; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Missouri Attorney General's Office is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to provide strategic legal support to the General Counsel and leadership team in the Office. This role oversees statutory programs, policy analysis, and compliance efforts across the Office.

The successful candidate will manage complex matters, advise on Sunshine Law and Chapter 27, RSMo issues, and coordinate cross‑divisional projects while upholding the highest professional standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of legal experience preferred.
• Missouri Bar license or ability to obtain one.
• Experience with state government agencies and public-sector clients.

Responsibilities

• Oversee contingency-fee matters and ensure compliance.
• Coordinate Sunshine Law compliance program and advise on Chapter 610, RSMo.
• Review policy initiatives and regulatory developments for leadership.
• Support organizational efficiency and cross‑divisional coordination.
• Assist with constituent relations and government clients.
• Provide ethical guidance on conflicts of interest.
• Collaborate across divisions to identify legal risks.
• Advise on litigation strategy and risk.
• Support grant-writing efforts for Office initiatives.

Skills

State government

Public-sector clients

Litigation experience

Grant writing

Missouri law

Missouri Bar license

Job description

Deputy General Counsel

The Missouri Attorney General's Office is seeking a highly skilled attorney to serve as Deputy General Counsel, reporting directly to the General Counsel. This role is central to the Office's strategic, operational, and compliance functions and provides high‑level legal support on matters affecting the Attorney General and the Office as a whole.

The Deputy General Counsel will oversee key statutory and operational programs, manage complex legal issues, and help ensure the Office's work aligns with its mission and obligations under Missouri law, including responsibilities outlined in Chapter 27, RSMo.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support management and oversight of all contingency‑fee matters, ensuring compliance with Missouri law, ethical requirements, contracting standards, and internal review processes.
• Assist in the oversight and coordination of the Office's Sunshine Law compliance program, including review of responses, guidance on Chapter 610, RSMo issues, and development of best practices.
• Review and analyze policy initiatives, legislative proposals, and regulatory developments, providing legal and strategic assessments to senior leadership.
• Support organizational improvement and operational efficiency initiatives, including cross‑divisional coordination, internal policy development, and workflow assessment.
• Assist with constituent relations, and government clients including responding to high‑impact inquiries, coordinating with government stakeholders, and helping to navigate sensitive or high‑visibility matters.
• Assist the General Counsel in provision of ethical guidance to the Attorney General and the Office, including analysis related to conflicts of interest, professional responsibility, and compliance considerations.
• Collaborate with divisions across the Office to identify legal risks, promote consistent standards, and help advance organizational priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the General Counsel on emergent legal issues and internal governance matters.
• Offer support on matters involving litigation strategy or evaluation, including reviewing pleadings and advising divisions on legal risk.
• Assist with identifying, developing, or reviewing grant‑writing efforts where appropriate to support Office initiatives or external partnerships.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Strong experience working with state government agencies, Missouri officials, or public-sector clients. 5+ years of experience practicing law preferred.
• Prior or current experience within the Missouri Attorney General's Office is a significant plus. A Missouri Bar license (or ability to obtain one) is required.
• Familiarity or aptitude for both litigation (state or federal, civil or criminal) and grant writing, recognizing these as distinct skill sets.
• Thorough understanding of Missouri statutory frameworks, or demonstrated ability to obtain such mastery, including Chapter 27, RSMo and Chapter 610, RSMo.
• Exceptional legal judgment, analytical ability, and professionalism in sensitive or confidential matters.
• Outstanding written communication skills and ability to prepare clear, concise legal and policy analyses.
• Ability to work independently, multi-task effectively, and coordinate across multiple units.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with internal leadership, external agencies, and constituents.

Join a team dedicated to excellence in public service and committed to protecting the legal interests of the State of Missouri.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

EOE