Deputy General Counsel, Real Property & Compliance

West Virginia Department of Agriculture; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture seeks a Deputy General Counsel to provide legal services to the department and the West Virginia Conservation Agency, reporting to the General Counsel. You will draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements; conduct real estate closings; perform legal research; advise on regulatory matters; and collaborate with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation.

Minimum qualifications include a law degree from ABA-accredited school, at least three

Qualifications

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or ABA-accredited law school.
• At least three years of experience as a licensed attorney.
• Admission to the West Virginia State Bar within 24 months of employment.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and contracts.
• Ensure contracts comply with legal requirements and policies.
• Manage agreement databases, templates, and tracking systems.
• Prepare deeds, easements, deeds of trust, subordination agreements, boundary agreements, and other legal instruments.
• Conduct real estate closings for land transfers.
• Conduct or assist with administrative hearings.
• Respond to inquiries concerning laws the department is charged with enforcing.
• Perform legal research on a wide variety of legal issues, including real property law, contract law, employment law, constitutional law, federal and state administrative law, and environmental law.
• Present legal recommendations to the numerous boards under the purview of the department.
• Coordinate with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office in litigation matters involving employment disputes, real property disputes, and condemnation actions.
• Perform due diligence on real estate transactions.
• Assist with legislative rulemaking and code changes as needed.
• Provide training and educational seminars for department staff, department partners, and the public on agriculture and conservation matters.
• Provide legal advice and guidance on all matters as required.
• Negotiate and draft mineral leases.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Contract law

Real property law

Oral communication

Analytical skills

Litigation knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture seeks a Deputy General Counsel to provide legal services to the department and the West Virginia Conservation Agency, reporting to the General Counsel. You will draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements; conduct real estate closings; perform legal research; advise on regulatory matters; and collaborate with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation.

Minimum qualifications include a law degree from ABA-accredited school, at least three