Deputy General Counsel

Job Title:

Deputy General Counsel 

Reports To:

(Direct Report): General Counsel and Executive Director

Salary:

$100,000 - $145,000

Workweek:

35( ) Hours

POSITION OVERVIEW

The New Jersey Senate Majority Office (SMO), an integral comp$100,000 - $145,0001onent of the Legislative branch, dedicated to providing legal, policy, and communications support to the Democratic members of the New Jersey State Senate. This legal position will provide legal counsel, conduct special research projects, staff the standing reference committee and draft memoranda at the direction of the Senate President and Executive Director.

DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Senate Committee Assignment:

·               Assigned to one or more Senate standing reference committees.

Committee Responsibilities:

·               Research bills referred to the standing reference committee with particular attention to those on committee agendas, including position of relevant department, Administration and interest groups, and political consequences, if any.

·               Prepare bill comments on all bills scheduled for committee action; prepare questions and possible amendments for Democratic members, as appropriate.

·               Attend committee meetings and assist Democratic members in articulating and offering Democratic strategy, as appropriate.

·               Update comments in a timely fashion, as required, for distribution to Democratic caucus.

·               Prepare to answer questions about bills that came out of any assigned committee

Legal Advisement:

·               Provide strategic legal advice to Executive Director and other senior staff as assigned.

·               Prepare briefing memorandum on various subjects, as assigned by the Executive Director.

·               Assist district office staff with constituent issues; prepare letters as necessary.

·               Monitor activities of authorities, commissions, committees and task forces related to committee responsibilities, as directed by the Executive Director.

·               Provide research and background information to communication staff on issues related to committee responsibilities.

·               Review the New Jersey Register on a periodic basis to determine the impact of proposed administrative rules and their consistency with legislative intent.

·               Monitor national developments in subject area and identify possible legislative action for members.

·               Perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

·               Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and other legal documents.

·               Advise on legal risks and compliance issues, including regulatory requirements and state standards.

Litigation Management:

·               Manage formal complaints and dispute resolution matters.

·               Coordinate with external counsel and manage legal matters as assigned by the Executive Director.

·               Develop strategies to mitigate litigation risks.

·               Provide training and support to employees on legal and compliance matters. This may include but is not limited to ensuring compliance to ethics and sexual harassment trainings on a yearly basis to staff, Senators and District Offices.

Budget Related Responsibilities:

·               Prepare budget briefing papers for use by Budget committee members and distribution to members and district office staff, as assigned by the Executive Director.

·               Prepare questions on annual budget recommendations for departments related to committee responsibilities; attend budget hearings for relevant departments and assist committee members, as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in New Jersey.
• Minimum 5 years of experience.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment under tight deadlines.
• High ethical standards and integrity.

·      Experience working with elected officials (preferred in New Jersey).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of legal experience, preferably in state or local government.
• Familiarity with state government legal issues and transactions.
• Leadership experience and ability to manage a team.
• Proven experience in contract negotiation, litigation management, and state governance.
• Strong knowledge of state regulatory compliance.

Note: The responsibilities and qualifications above are intended to provide a general overview of the position and may be subject to change based on organizational needs and legislative priorities.