Senior Legal Counsel-OEIC

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

This position is Unclassified per ORC 124.11 (A) (30)

Background check and drug screening required prior to employment

POSITION SUMMARY 
Under the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel and/or Deputy Chief Legal Counsel and in collaboration with the Ohio Elections Integrity Commission (OEIC) and the Public Integrity Division, the Senior Legal Counsel provides legal, procedural, and administrative support to the Commission and the Office of the Secretary of State. This position ensures that OEIC operations, investigations, and decisions are conducted in compliance with Ohio law, administrative procedure, and best practices for transparency and due process. They also assist with legal research, drafting, and analysis related to election integrity, administrative enforcement, and Commission governance while advising SoS leadership on related legal and policy matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Advice  to the Ohio Elections Integrity Commission (OEIC)
•    Provide direct legal support to the OEIC in the interpretation and application of statutes, administrative rules, and Commission procedures.
•    Draft and review OEIC advisory opinions, orders, and enforcement findings in coordination with Commission members and SOS leadership.
•    Advise the OEIC on matters involving evidence review, due process, public records, and open meeting law compliance.
•    Assist in developing and maintaining policies and procedures governing the OEIC’s operations, case review, and hearings.

Legal Research, Analysis, and Litigation Support
•    Conduct legal research on OEIC, elections and campaign finance-related issues.
•    Draft decisions and recommendations based on statute, case law, and public policy considerations.
•    Review court decisions, compile after-action reports, and support preparation of directives, advisories, guidance, reports, and training materials.
•    Collaborate with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on pending litigation and coordinate discovery and filings, as directed.

Legal and Administrative Support to SOS Divisions
•    Monitor, process, and respond to public records requests under the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel, and Director of Operations, as needed.
•    Assist in developing and implementing program policies and procedures for the Legal Services Division.
•    Evaluate and investigate complaints about board of elections operations or the electoral process; summarize findings and make recommendations to leadership.
•    Prepare responses to legal inquiries from boards of elections, government officials, and the public.
•    Maintain archival litigation files, monitor developments in law, and ensure records retention and confidentiality compliance.

Education, Training, and Communication
•    Coordinate logistics and develop materials for Legal Services seminars, trainings, and presentations in collaboration with SOS divisions.
•    Prepare contracts, correspondence, and other legal documents as directed.
•    Review and route communications on behalf of the Chief Legal Counsel or Deputy Chief Legal Counsel.
•    Provide guidance and clear written communication to internal and external stakeholders regarding legal and procedural issues.

Other Responsibilities
•    Perform other legal and administrative duties as assigned.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 
•    Required
o    Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
o    Licensed to practice law in Ohio; Must be in good standing with  the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Experience
•    Required
o    Active Ohio Bar membership.
o    Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in administrative law and procedures.
o    Demonstrated skill in drafting, reviewing, and revising legal documents, policies, and rules.
o    Proficiency in legal research, analysis, and interpretation of statutes and case law.
•    Preferred\: 
o    Experience with election and campaign finance law, litigation, or familiarity with the framework of Ohio state government.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 
Knowledge of:
•    Federal and state election and campaign finance laws, administrative law, and rules governing election integrity and public proceedings.
•    Principles and practices of administrative procedure and legal operations.
•    Database and document management systems for legal records and case tracking.
•    Ohio public records and open meetings laws.
•    Microsoft Office 365 and legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis).

Skills in:
•    Conducting comprehensive legal research and drafting complex legal documents.
•    Preparing clear, concise reports and memoranda for leadership and external stakeholders.
•    Managing sensitive legal and confidential matters with discretion.
•    Coordinating with multiple agencies and divisions on legal issues and litigation support.
•    Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences.

Ability to:
•    Interpret and apply laws, policies, and procedures accurately and consistently.
•    Exercise sound judgment and initiative under pressure.
•    Work collaboratively with internal divisions, the Attorney General’s Office, and the OEIC.
•    Manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
•    Uphold integrity, neutrality, and professionalism expected of legal counsel within the Secretary of State’s Office.

Technology
•    Personal computer, Microsoft Office 365 – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Lexis/Nexis

 

SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL - OEIC

About Us:

As Ohio’s Secretary of State, Frank LaRose is doing his part to deliver a thriving democracy and a prosperous economy for all Ohioans. In his role as the state’s chief elections officer, he is working to ensure that Ohio’s elections are both secure and accessible. And, as the first stop for new businesses in the Buckeye State, he is assisting entrepreneurs as they receive articles of incorporation for a new business.