Legal Counsel, Compliance

The Legal Counsel, Compliance provides research and advice on various legal matters affecting the administrative operation of the Supreme Court and the judicial system. Develops and implements compliance programs, maintains internal controls and policies, stays updated on regulatory changes, designs training programs, investigates compliance violations, and prepares reports, in close collaboration with the Deputy Director, Legal & Compliance.

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.

What You'll Do:

Legal Advice\: Provides legal counsel to Court leadership and staff to ensure legal compliance.

Legal Research & Analysis\: Research statutes, decisions, and rules. Drafts opinions and memoranda.
 
Public Records\: Reviews, prepares, and coordinates public records requests; updates policies and procedures.

Compliance Programs Development\: Develops and implements comprehensive compliance programs aligned with industry regulations and company policies in collaboration with legal, human resources, finance and other departments.

Training and Education\: Designs and delivers training programs on relevant regulations, policies, and ethical conduct.

Internal Controls and Policies Maintenance\: Advises on the maintenance of internal controls and Court policies to ensure regulatory compliance, escalating issues for enforcement and resolution.

Compliance Reporting and Investigation\: Prepares compliance reports and supports investigations into alleged compliance violations and collaborates on corrective actions.

Contract and Document Governance\: Assist in developing and implementing contract and document governance programs.

Litigation Management\: Provides support for the coordination with the Office of the Attorney General and outside counsel to manage litigation against the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals.

Agreements & Contracts\: Reviews and coordinates intergovernmental agreements, grants, and contracts; advises on legal risks and terms.

Special Projects\: Manages special projects assigned by senior leadership.

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.

What we’re looking for:

Juris Doctor required. At all times during employment with the Court, must be an attorney properly admitted to the practice of law in Ohio and be in good standing. License to practice law in Ohio may be obtained within six months of hire. Minimum of one year in legal roles. Experience in a government environment preferred.

Legal Compliance\: Strong understanding of laws governing industries and businesses.
Project Management\: Ability to apply principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources.
Independence and Teamwork\: Ability to work independently or part of a team.
Work Under Pressure\: Capable of working under pressure with professionalism, discretion, patience, and confidentiality.
Communication Skills\: Ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively either verbally or in writing. 
Interpersonal Skills\: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
Sensitive Interactions\: Ability to handle sensitive, face-to-face contact with the public and government officials in a composed, hospitable, and approachable manner.

*Special Requirements\:  This position is regularly exposed to sensitive information and the employee is expected to keep that information strictly confidential.

Application Process

This is an exempt unclassified position that reports to the Deputy Director, Legal & Compliance. The salary range is $105,019.20- $112,652.80. 

To be considered for this position, please apply online at www.careers.ohio.gov or deliver an application by May 28, 2025, to the Supreme Court of Ohio, 65 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 and attach or enclose all of the following\: 

Completed application
Resume 
Cover letter with salary requirements 

Only completed applications will be considered.  Interviews will be scheduled as soon as practicable. We will contact you if you are selected for an interview. Additional details are available to candidates interested in applying, by contacting the Office of Human Resources – Recruiting at recruiting@sc.ohio.gov.

At-Will Employment
The Supreme Court of Ohio is an at-will employer that seeks to attract, employ, and retain highly skilled and motivated individuals, attempts to maintain staff continuity for the efficiency of its operation, and desires to foster and maintain an ethical, professional, and impartial work environment. Pursuant to Adm. P. 4 (At-Will Employment), no person shall be offered or denied a position of employment with the Court, and no employee shall have the employee's employment terminated based solely upon political party affiliation, political activity permitted under Adm. P. 17 (Employee Code of Ethics), or other partisan considerations. Further, no employee shall have the employee's employment terminated with or without cause unless upon the concurrence of a majority of the Court.

Background Check Information:
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.  Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position.  An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.