General Counsel and Division Chief

TSABAA; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

TSABAA seeks a Chief Legal Officer to provide strategic legal counsel to the Board and executive leadership on risk management, insurance, workers' compensation, and compliance matters.

The role oversees litigation, rulemaking, and contract reviews while ensuring compliance with state and federal law. The position leads the Legal Services Division and coordinates with the Attorney General's Office as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of five years of full-time legal practice experience; law clerk counted.
• Experience providing legal counsel to senior leadership.
• Licensed attorney in Texas; member in good standing with State Bar of Texas.
• Knowledge of legal principles, statutes, regulations, and agency rules.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to Executive Director and agency leadership on statutory, regulatory, governance, and strategic matters.
• Review, draft, revise, and approve contracts, admin rules, and agency policies.
• Monitor and analyze legislation; draft bills, fiscal notes, and policy recommendations.
• Represent the agency in litigation and admin proceedings; coordinate with the Office of the Attorney General.
• Direct and oversee the Legal Services Division; set priorities and standards.
• Support statutory reports, strategic planning documents, and legislative submissions.
• Promote transparency, collaboration, and effective communication with stakeholders.

Skills

Legal analysis

Oral communication

Written communication

Policy and regulatory analysis

Counsel to senior leadership

Time management

Travel readiness

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

The State Office of Risk Management's core missions are customer service oriented. We administer the workers' compensation program, insurance and risk management programs, and continuity of operations program for other state entities.

This position will serve as the chief legal officer for the State Office of Risk Management. This position provides legal advice and counsel to the Board of Directors and executive leadership on matters involving risk management, insurance programs, workers' compensation, administrative law, and statutory compliance. Oversees litigation and administrative proceedings, leads rulemaking activities, reviews contracts, and ensures compliance with state and federal law. Supervises legal staff and represents the agency in legal and policy matters as assigned.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Provide legal advice and guidance to the Executive Director and agency leadership on statutory, regulatory, governance, and strategic matters.


• Review, draft, revise, and approve contracts, administrative rules, and agency policies.


• Monitor and analyze legislation; draft bills, fiscal notes, and policy recommendations as needed.


• Represent the agency in litigation and administrative proceedings and coordinate with the Office of the Attorney General.


• Direct and oversee the Legal Services Division, including establishing priorities, performance expectations, and operational standards.


• Support preparation of statutory reports, strategic planning documents, and legislative submissions.


• Promote transparency, collaboration, and effective communication across the agency and with external stakeholders.


• Performs related work as assigned.


• Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions.


• Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule.


• Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information.


• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity.

Qualifications - External

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.


• Experience: Minimum of five years of full-time experience in the practice of law. *Law clerk experience can be counted toward the legal experience.


• Experience providing legal counsel to senior leadership.


• Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.


• Must be a member in good standing with State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas.


• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; state and federal laws, regulations, and rules; legal codes, court procedures, precedents, executive orders, and agency rules.


• Skill in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.


• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines.


• Skill in effective oral and written communication.


• Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel.


• Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA.


• Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.


• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 10%.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in Texas state government.


• Supervisory or management experience.


• Experience with rulemaking or legislative analysis.


• Experience with the State Procurement Process.


• Experience in administrative, governmental, insurance, or workers' compensation law.

THE SORM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER