Lead Health Litigation Counsel

South Dakota AG; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Eleven paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave accrual

Dental

Vision

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The South Dakota Department of Health seeks a lead litigation counsel to represent the agency and provide legal support across programs, including the Medical Cannabis Program, and to handle regulatory enforcement actions in nursing homes, hospitals, and other facilities.

The ideal candidate will have eight or more years of litigation experience, a JD from an accredited school, and be licensed or eligible to practice in South Dakota.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of litigation experience.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in South Dakota or ability to promptly obtain licensure.
• Membership in the South Dakota Bar or eligibility to sit for the exam.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal opinions and advice to program and department staff.
• Serve as lead counsel in civil litigation matters involving the department.
• Represent the department before the Office of Hearing Examiners and in trial and appellate courts.
• Draft legislation and administrative rules.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and appellate filings.
• Participate in lobbying activities as needed.
• Conduct discovery, take and defend depositions, and manage case strategy from inception through resolution.
• Handle evidentiary hearings, trials, and oral arguments.
• Draft program policies and procedures.
• Assist with Request for Proposals processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state statutes and administrative rules.
• Participate in administrative and court hearings related to regulatory actions involving patient registration and medical cannabis establishments.
• Assist in drafting contracts and joint powers agreements.
• Collaborate with other state agencies.
• Provide guidance on administrative rules, rule promulgation, and legislative matters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal research

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Juris Doctorate

Bar admission eligibility

Job description

The South Dakota Department of Health seeks a lead litigation counsel to represent the agency and provide legal support across programs, including the Medical Cannabis Program, and to handle regulatory enforcement actions in nursing homes, hospitals, and other facilities.

The ideal candidate will have eight or more years of litigation experience, a JD from an accredited school, and be licensed or eligible to practice in South Dakota.