DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL

State-of-West-Virgini; West Virginia; On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of West Virginia's Office of the Governor seeks a Deputy General Counsel to provide executive-level legal counsel, strategic advice, and policy support to the Governor, staff, and state agencies.

Ideal candidates have strong administrative and constitutional law expertise, exceptional research and communication skills, and a deep commitment to public service. This full-time role offers meaningful impact on state governance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited school of law.
• Active WV State Bar membership (or eligibility for immediate admission).
• 3–5 years of complex legal practice, preferably in administrative law or government operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level legal counsel to the Governor and senior state officials.
• Draft and review legislation, executive orders, and legal instruments.
• Advise on constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues affecting state government.
• Ensure compliance with open meetings, procurement, and freedom of information requirements.
• Process and respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Negotiate high-level state contracts and MOUs.

Skills

Strong communication

Legal research

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

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.

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.

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.

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