General Counsel 2

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Minnesota, Court of Administrative Hearings, seeks a General Counsel 2 to lead the Office of General Counsel and guide legal strategy for the court. Based in St. Paul, this executive role oversees litigation, data practices, and rulemaking, partnering with state agencies and external stakeholders.

Ideal candidate has a J.D., Minnesota license, and 3–7 years of high-level legal leadership experience, with strong analytical and communication skills for cross‑agency collaboration.

Qualifications

• J.D. Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and current with continuing legal education requirements.
• Three (3) years of managerial or advanced supervisory experience leading legal services or similar activities; OR seven (7) years as a licensed attorney conducting legal research, writing, and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level advice and litigation management for the court.
• Serve as the court’s Ethics Officer.
• Serve as (or supervise) the Data Practices Compliance Official.
• Act as a liaison to the Legislature, Governor’s Office, Executive Branch agencies, and other external stakeholders.
• Provide legal analysis across a wide range of specialized, complex areas.
• Advise on court policies, procedures, and data practices compliance and requests.
• Guide the development and review of proposed legislation and administrative rules.

Skills

Executive-level advisory

Litigation management

Ethics & data practices

Legislation & rulemaking

Stakeholder communication

Education

J.D. Degree from ABA accredited law school

Licensed to practice law in Minnesota

Job description

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/21/2026
• Closing Date: 10/19/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Administrative Hearings / Admin. Hrgs-Managerial
• Division/Unit: Court of Admin. Hearings / Court of Admin Hearings
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Not Applicable Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $57.67 - $82.61 / hourly; $120,414 - $172,489 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrepresented
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/21/2026
• Closing Date: 10/19/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Administrative Hearings / Admin. Hrgs-Managerial
• Division/Unit: Court of Admin. Hearings / Court of Admin Hearings
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Not Applicable Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $57.67 - $82.61 / hourly; $120,414 - $172,489 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrepresented
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Working Title: General Counsel 2Job Class: General Counsel 2Agency: Administrative Hearings

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary – General Counsel, Court Of Administrative Hearings

At the Court of Administrative Hearings (CAH), the General Counsel helps shape how due process and access to justice reach thousands of Minnesotans every year.

CAH is the largest of Minnesota's three Executive Branch Courts, employing over 75 staff, including more than 30 judges, in St. Paul and Duluth, and is comparable in size to the Ramsey County District Court. As an independent, neutral decision-maker, CAH exercises exclusive, statewide trial-level jurisdiction over hearings for more than 250 state agencies and local units of government across 200 -plus areas of administrative law and serves as Minnesota's workers' compensation trial court. CAH is the only court in Minnesota doing this work.

The Role

CAH’s General Counsel serves as the court’s chief in-house counsel and is a member of the court’s Executive Team alongside the Chief Judge, Deputy Chief Judge, and Court Administrator. Leading the Court’s Office of General Counsel and supervising a team of in-house attorneys, the General Counsel guides the legal work that supports CAH’s judicial functions – including workers' compensation, administrative law, rulemaking, and municipal boundary adjustments.

What You’ll Do

• Provide executive-level advice and litigation management for the court
• Serve as the court’s Ethics Officer
• Serve as (or supervise) the Data Practices Compliance Official
• Act as a liaison to the Legislature, Governor’s Office, Executive Branch agencies, and other external stakeholders
• Provide legal analysis across a wide range of specialized, complex areas
• Advise on court policies, procedures, and data practices compliance and requests
• Guide the development and review of proposed legislation and administrative rules

This is a unique and dynamic leadership opportunity for a strategic, steady-handed legal leader ready to help shape the future of a court central to government accountability in Minnesota – the only one of its kind in the state.

Telework options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on their resume. Resume tips are available here.

Education requirements:

• J.D. Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and current with continuing legal education requirements.

Experience requirements:

• Three (3) years of managerial or advanced supervisory experience leading legal services or similar activities; OR
• Seven (7) years as a licensed attorney conducting legal research, writing, and analysis.

AND

• Experience in one or more of the following areas of law: data practices, ethics, employment, and civil or administrative litigation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders fostering productive working relationships in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, organizational and project management skills supporting sound decision‑making and legal advising.
• Excellent legal analysis and writing skills and experience with plain language communication of regulatory and statutory matters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and/or State government agencies.
• Experience with the legislative process or administrative rulemaking.
• Experience providing legal advice to senior management or executives.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and ability to analyze data, determine classification of data, and provide protection of not public data.
• Experience in litigation, including assessment of legal risk, and knowledge of negotiation and settlement strategies, techniques, and considerations.
• Experience managing attorneys in a high-volume legal services environment.

Additional Requirements

• Criminal history check
• Reference check
• Education verification
• Attorney License verification (https://mars.courts.state.mn.us)
• SEMA4 records check (applies to current and past state employees only)

CAH is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.

All CAH Leaders are expected to demonstrate and develop all competency themes from the Enterprise-Wide Leader Competency Model.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Tyla Sullivan at [e-mail] or 651-361-7862.

About Administrative Hearings

The Court of Administrative Hearings is an executive branch court providing fair and neutral hearings and alternative dispute resolution services in workers’ compensation and administrative law and regulatory matters statewide. The court’s work provides due process and access to justice to Minnesotans, allows Minnesotans to be heard regarding the actions of government, and supports the rule of law. We invite you to explore our statement of our Vision, Mission,Values to learn more about the foundational principles that guide our service to the public.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need. If you need to request an Accommodation under the ADA, please contact our ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].