ATTORNEY SPECIALIST

Position Summary                                                                                                                         

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Attorney Specialist will function as the Staff Attorney. The Staff Attorney is responsible for performing legal research, preparing, and filing legal documents, maintaining legal files, and for providing legal assistance to the agency. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.

Education and Professional Work Experience                                                                       

Minimum Qualifications

Licensed to practice law and admitted to the Arkansas State Bar in accordance with ACA 16-22-201. The formal education equivalent of a law degree from an accredited law school; plus three years of experience practicing law.

Preferred Qualification

Juris Doctor Degree

Knowledge of legal research and writing protocols.

Knowledge of legal terminology.

Knowledge of the ethical standards of the legal profession.

Knowledge of investigative standards, procedures, and techniques.

Knowledge of Arkansas Freedom of Information Act requirements

Ability to perform legal research.

Ability to draft and negotiate legal documents on the agency's behalf.

Ability to analyze legal documents for accuracy and content.

Ability to handle confidential information.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff and other relevant legal and agency contacts.

Ability to work independently.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities                                                           

Knowledge of state and federal laws.

Knowledge of legal research and writing protocols.

Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and apply case law, state and federal statutes, legal precedents, and relevant legislative intent to agency legal matters.

Ability to provide legal guidance and technical assistance to agency’s management and staff. Ability to perform mediation / litigation.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of the administrative support staff.

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results                                                                              

The Staff Attorney is responsible for performing legal research, preparing and filing legal documents, maintaining legal files, and coordinating legal section activities.

Researching law from statutes, judicial decisions, legal articles, treatises, codes, and constitutions, and preparing legal memos, briefs, motions, and other pleadings for review, approval, and use by division attorneys.

Preparing drafts of new or amended legislation or regulations pertinent to the agency's mission.

Developing and maintaining contacts and relationships with economic development partners.

Managing special projects and providing regular updates to senior management.

Investigating issues and situations, gathering facts and evidence, conducting interviews with affected employee(s) and witnesses, and providing documentation to assist attorneys in preparation for investigations.

Providing technical assistance to agency personnel in the analysis, interpretation, and application of laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies.

Establishing and maintaining legal reference files.

Providing solution and business-oriented legal advice, support, counsel, representation, and services to all areas of the division.

Working closely with the business teams and senior management to understand the needs and strategic objectives of the division to provide high quality, pragmatic, and focused legal advice and assist in responsibly growing business in Arkansas.

Providing regular updates and support with compliance on group policies and procedures (as appropriate).

Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and providing guidance on a wide variety of agreements including, acquisition documents, confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, non-disclosure agreements, leases, construction contracts, service agreements as well as contractor/consultant/employment agreements ensuring both legal and division objectives are met.

Coordinating with external advisers where appropriate and assisting with managing external legal spend/budget.

Working with colleagues to continuously improve contract structure, governance, and processes as well as implementation and adherence to best practices within both the Legal function and the Group.

Advising business units and supporting with training on regulatory matters such as anti-trust, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and other business-related compliance issues.

Horizon-scanning -Periodically and proactively assessing legal and compliance risk exposures for the business, and developing and implementing risk mitigation initiatives including procedures, policies, and forms development.

Supporting compliance activities and implementing appropriate remediation measures.

Monitoring existing contracts using approved performance methodologies, tools, etc., including identifying and recommending opportunities for improvement, reminders of renewals and notice periods, etc.

Continuously striving for a deeper understanding of the organization and its unique needs to provide the most optimal evaluations and advice on a wide variety of legal matters.

Participating in various state and federal governance/compliance activities.

Performing other duties as assigned.