Litigation Attorney

Agency

Dept of State Treasurer

Division

Investments Division

Job Classification Title

NCIA Assistant General Counsel (NS)

Position Number

65041729

Grade

ID19

About Us

Our mission is to preserve, protect and sustain the state’s pension and healthcare plans, generate investment returns in excess of comparable public pensions, properly account for and report on all funds that are deposited, invested, and disbursed through the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, assure the financially sound issuance of debt for state and local governments, maintain the state’s “AAA” bond rating, and provide exemplary service across all divisions of the Department.

Description of Work

The Litigation Attorney serves as counsel to the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer and is assigned primarily to represent the Retirement Systems Division (RSD). This position requires significant litigation experience, as it handles litigation from the initial pleading and appearances in the administrative tribunal or trial court (ex., Office of Administrative Hearings or Superior Court) all the way through an appeal, if one is taken.
This position is responsible for drafting pleadings, discovery requests and responses, motions, and appellate briefs and petitions when necessary. The position requires a combination of strong writing ability and in-court experience.
Subject matter areas include public pension governance, benefit disputes, felony forfeiture of benefits, contracts, supplemental retirement plans, and other issues affecting retirement systems administration. While the position is primarily assigned to the Division, it may also be assigned to litigation matters throughout the Department, depending on workload. While experience with these subject matters is a plus, a candidate does not need to be a subject matter expert in these areas to be qualified for this position. Successful performance in this position will require an ability and eagerness to learn them.
The Litigation Attorney also provides strategic legal advice to executive leadership and works collaboratively with Division and agency staff to protect the interests of the Department and the Division.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesLitigation Management and Representation

• Represent the Department in administrative proceedings, contested case hearings, state courts, federal courts, and appellate matters.
• Manage all phases of litigation, including case assessment, discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials, mediations, depositions, and appeals.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, motions, legal memoranda, and other litigation documents.
• Coordinate litigation strategy and representation with the North Carolina Department of Justice and outside counsel as appropriate.
• Monitor and manage litigation risks affecting Department programs and operations.

Legal Advice and Counsel

• Provide legal advice to Department leadership, division directors, and staff regarding operational, regulatory, and litigation-related matters.
• Advise on legal risks associated with agency policies, programs, contracts, and business practices.
• Develop recommendations to mitigate legal exposure and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Working Conditions

• This position is primarily in-office, but the Department does offer one day a week of telework after an initial period of in-office work. Sporadic telework is allowed during the initial period and thereafter when needed, at the supervisor’s discretion.
• The position does require some travel for court appearances and hearings in North Carolina courts. Most appearances are in the Triangle area but are occasionally outside this area.
• May occasionally require work outside of normal business hours to meet litigation deadlines and agency needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience representing governmental entities, public-sector agencies, or governing boards.
• Experience with public pension or benefits law is a plus, but not a strict requirement for the position.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

• Comprehensive knowledge of litigation practices and procedures in North Carolina state and federal courts.
• Strong legal research, writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to analyze complex legal and factual issues and provide practical recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executives, board members, agency staff, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority matters under tight deadlines.

Inquiries and applications will be kept strictly confidential.

Salary Range - $91, 249 to $159, 686

The anticipated hiring rate for this position is up to $139,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and based on available funding and internal equity considerations.

Position is Exempt to FLSA Overtime

This position may be assigned additional job functions as needed. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice based on business conditions or as required by the agency to fulfill its mission.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through either years of education, years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

The minimum Education and Experience is:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar.
• Eight (8) or more years of litigation experience, including substantial experience in state or federal court proceedings.

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above.

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit https://studentaid.gov/ to learn more. 

NC State Health Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NC Flex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.  In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.  

Visit the website for State Benefits

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer (DST) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DST: NCTreasurer | NC Treasurer.

DST uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions with the most qualified individuals.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in place of completing this application. 

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
• Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Background Check

• The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal history background check through Castle Branch.
• One or more of the following may also be reviewed, depending on the nature and requirements of the position: employment history, professional references, credit history, and educational verification (i.e., degree, license, or official transcript).
• The selected candidate will be required to pass the background check to the satisfaction of the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. All offers of employment are conditional until the satisfactory completion of the background check.

Contact Information: 

If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please email the NC Department of State Treasurer at [email protected].

The Department of State Treasurer's campus is located on Atlantic Avenue, is surrounded by many shopping centers and restaurants, has access to a 24-hour 7-day a week free gym on the campus, and has free employee parking.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar.
• Eight (8) or more years of litigation experience, including substantial experience in state or federal court proceedings.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Leonard C Harper

Recruiter Email:

[email protected]