STAFF ATTORNEY (Guthrie Agricultural Center, Guthrie, WV)

Position Description
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Job Title:  Staff Attorney 
Division:  Executive
Headquarters:  Guthrie Agricultural Center, Guthrie, WV
Reports To:  Executive
Supervisory Responsibility:  None
FLSA Status:  Exempt

Nature of Work:
The staff attorney provides legal services to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture as directed by Executive leadership.

Examples of Work:

• Provide legal support and advise to the Commissioner and department.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, memorandum of understanding and contracts.
• Advise executive on contract terms and legal risks
• Ensure contracts comply with legal requirements and department policies
• Manage agreement databases, templates, and tracking system.
• Prepare deeds, easements, deeds of trust, subordination agreements, boundary agreements and other legal instruments.
• Conduct closings for land transfer, loans and other agreements.
• Respond to telephone and written inquiries seeking opinions and interpretations regarding agricultural law and offer translation of the West Virginia Governmental Ethics Act, the West Virginia Open Governmental Meetings Act, and other laws the Department is charged with interpreting or enforcing
• Process and prosecute complaints regarding the Ethics Act, including negotiating settlements and presenting cases in administrative hearings.
• Draft formal memoranda and other legal correspondence
• Present legal recommendations to the numerous Boards under the purview of the Department.
• Perform due diligence on real estate transactions.
• Assist with legislative rulemaking and code changes as needed.
• Provide training and educational seminars for department staff, partners and public on agriculture matters.
• Provide legal advice and guidance on all matters as required.
• Perform detailed legal research.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Office environment; sitting, standing, walking, driving, lifting up to 25 pounds. Occasional travel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of real estate, government, corporate and business laws.
• Ability to perform abstracting and other legal research.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent legal writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Ability to understand general business operation, issues and dynamics beyond the scope of basic legal issues.
• Ability to handle confidential information with the highest degree of professional responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:  Graduation from a regionally accredited or an American Bar Association accredited law school.
Experience:  Minimum three years of licensed practice required. 
Substitutions: None

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture.

               This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner of Agriculture and designees.
                                             West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.