General Counsel
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD):
As an agency operating a shared services model, we provide the executive branch of state government with top-notch HR services. INSPD has a dedicated team of human resources professionals working in many capacities, including director-level, generalists and specialists in each discipline of human resources. Joining our team will open the door to many opportunities for lateral and upward mobility.
Role Overview:
The General Counsel leads and manages all operations within the Legal Division, providing strategic legal counsel to agency leadership across a broad range of issues. This role is responsible for drafting and interpreting legislation, agency policies, contracts, and legal documents, with particular emphasis on employment law, benefits compliance, and regulatory matters. Serving as the agency’s Legislative Liaison and Ethics Officer, the position coordinates with the Legislature, Governor’s Office, and other stakeholders to ensure legal alignment with state priorities. This position oversees internal investigations, litigation strategy, and relationships with external counsel while representing the agency in administrative and legal proceedings. Additionally, the role develops legal training, monitors legal trends, and advises on matters such as data privacy, ethics, and public records compliance.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $120,016.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Direct and oversee all Legal Division staff members and division workflow and projects.
- Prepare and render legal opinions to the agency’s leadership and management teams, as requested.
- Provide legal assistance in the drafting of legal documents, agency policy, rules and regulations, resolutions, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and other legal or related papers upon request.
- Provide legal assistance in the drafting and analysis of legislation and regulations impacting the agency as well as collaborate with leadership to ensure legal alignment with state operations
- Serve as Legislative Liaison for the agency, working with the Legislature, Director, and Governor’s Office on legislative matters as directed, including reviewing bills and assessing their legal and operational impact.
- Advise agency leadership and HR professionals on employment law matters, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, and other applicable state and federal statutes. Conduct legal research and analyze complex legal issues, particularly those related to employment law, benefits administration, and government operations, as requested by the Director and executive team.
- Oversee and advise on internal workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or policy violations; ensure investigations are legally sound and appropriately documented.
- Negotiate, draft, and provide legal review on contracts as requested, particularly those related to employee benefits, including the State Employee Health and Pharmacy Plans.
- Provide legal counsel on employee benefit compliance issues including HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and other applicable regulations governing public-sector benefit programs.
- Coordinate litigation strategy and manage agency involvement in legal matters in collaboration with outside counsel and the Governor’s Office.
- Monitor and manage services provided by outside legal counsel to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with agency needs and budget.
- Represent the agency and/or client agencies in administrative hearing, mediations, and other proceedings before state and federal agencies such as DWD, EEOC, ICRC, IDOL, OALP, and SEAC, and other state or federal agencies; prepare and review legal briefs, witness outlines, and hearing documents.
- Serve as the Ethics Officer for the State Personnel Department. Serve as the Ethics Officer for the State Personnel Department; provide legal advice related to conflicts of interest, gifts, and other ethical obligations under state law.
- Provide reports regarding matters within the incumbent’s responsibilities that are appropriate for public discussion.
- Develop and deliver legal training to HR staff and agency leadership.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legal developments affecting the agency’s HR and benefits practices and proactively advise on policy updates or risk mitigation strategies.
- Provide legal review and support for records management, data privacy compliance, and responses to public records requests and subpoenas.
- Prepare regular reports and legal summaries related to active legal matters, legal trends, and agency risk, as needed for internal or external audiences.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work.
What You'll Need for Success:
The ideal candidate for this role should have:
- a Juris Doctor Degree and 7+ years of experience with Admission to the Indiana State Bar.
- Advanced knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures and precedents.
- Experience practicing employment law and/or employment litigation preferred but not required.
- Experience practicing healthcare law and negotiating healthcare contracts preferred but not required.
- Thorough knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
- Thorough knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.
- Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes.
- Thorough knowledge of principles, theories, and practices of budget management.
- Ability to supervise others by assigning/directing work. conducting employee evaluations, staff training and development, taking appropriate disciplinary/corrective actions, making hiring/termination recommendations.
- Must possess excellent writing and communication skills and be able to present ideas and opinions clearly in verbal, written and electronic form.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow agency employees.
- Ability to treat all state employees with courtesy and respect.
- Ability to create, maintain and improve the culture of teamwork, excellent customer service and cost-effective use of the people’s resources.
- Ability to discharge all job responsibilities with integrity.
- Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
