Legal General Counsel
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46205
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse 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.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, 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.
About the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS):
The Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) Commission is the governing authority of Indiana Disability Rights. The Commission is responsible for assuring adequate legal and advocacy services for the protection, promotion and empowerment of the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities throughout Indiana. The Commission provides direction and advice on Indiana Disability Rights' activities, goals, and policies.
Who We Are:
Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) is the designated protection and advocacy organization for the state of Indiana. We provide direct legal advocacy to people with disabilities across the state and covering a wide range of civil rights including access to education, health care, employment, community living, public access, self-determination, and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Learn more about who we are by visiting www.indianadisabilityrights.org.
Applicant Access:
IDR values the lived experience of people with disabilities and people with identities marginalized or under-represented in the legal field. Applicants should feel welcome and are encouraged to include information relevant to their lived experience and personal identity as part of their submitted application materials. If you need assistance or accommodations to complete the application process, please contact Scarlett Taylor at ScTaylor@indianadisabilityrights.org.
Role Overview:
The Legal General Counsel must assure that decisions made, and work completed comply with highly complex state and federal law, regulations, and rules. They must also be thoroughly knowledgeable of the operations of the legal system, administrative hearing process, and social service agencies. Extensive judgment, strict confidentiality, trust, and candor is required to determine the best course of action for each individual situation. This position may be called upon to deal with potentially hostile or adversarial conflict.
In this role you will be expected to partner with and provide excellent customer service to agency personnel, people with disabilities, relevant state and federal agencies, policymakers, and other related stakeholders. Partnerships and positive working relationships with people with disabilities, members of the disability community, relevant public agencies, federal, state & local governments and/or community leaders will be required.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $102,024.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Check out our Compensation Calculator to see how much this salary is worth after employer funded benefits!
A Day in the Life:
IDR seeks an experienced attorney with a strong commitment to IDR’s mission, vision, and values to serve as Legal Director/General Counsel. This role works closely with the Executive Director, the IPAS Commission, external partners, staff, and clients to further IDR’s work. This position serves as a member of the Leadership Team providing input for long range agency vision and long-term organizational and strategic planning. The leadership team works collaboratively and fluidly to address the needs of the agency and the people we serve. To be successful in this role requires flexibility, a collaborative leadership style, and the ability to think quickly and creatively to address complex issues across a broad spectrum of topics.
The essential functions of this role may include:
• Supervise staff providing legal services for the agency including attorneys and non-attorney advocates in a manner consistent with state and federal rules and regulations, state ethics, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, and IDR’s mission, vision, and values.
• Oversee agency case management policies and procedures.
• Prepare and/or supervise the handling of litigation, the preparation of pleadings for and the handling of cases in the course of legal representation.
• Consult with staff, provide guidance in the investigation of pertinent legal facts relating to client rights concerns, oversee the representation of clients and supervise legal representation in administrative hearings or trials.
• Manage litigation involving the IPAS Commission utilizing associational standing.
• Provide legal assistance and/or oversight in the drafting of legal documents, agency policy, rules and regulations, resolutions, and other legal or related papers upon request.
• Provide legal assistance as assigned in the drafting of legislation impacting the agency and/or IPAS Commission.
• Advise on legislative and policy matters as directed.
• Advise the Executive Director on legal and policy matters as requested.
• Advise the IPAS Commission on legal and policy matters as requested.
• Provide input to reports submitted to the Executive Director, IPAS Commission, MHAC, and for public distribution as directed.
• Monitor legal trends and/or case law at the state and federal level that could impact the agency or the people we serve.
• Serve as a representative of IDR at meetings, public presentations, media engagement, and other external interactions as assigned.
• Assist in the development of IDR’s priorities and objectives and provide input for long-range agency vision and long-term organizational and strategic planning.
• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with members of the disability community, the legal community, and organizations led by people with disabilities, people with lived experiences, and people from marginalized communities.
• 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.
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.
What You'll Need for Success:
All candidates must submit a resume and cover letter along with their application to be considered. The ideal candidate for this role should have:
• A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and 5+ years of progressively responsible experience managing all aspects of litigation including significant experience with disability and/or civil rights laws representing clients in administrative hearings, state court, and federal court. Experience directing class action or systemic litigation is strongly preferred. Prior experience with the protection and advocacy system is a plus.
• The candidate must be admitted to practice law in Indiana or have the ability to seek admission to the Indiana State Bar upon successful hiring.
• Ability to pass federal security suitability clearance and a state background check.
• Advanced knowledge of civil rights law, administrative law, statutory interpretation and the legislative process.
• Thorough knowledge of and adherence to IDR’s mission, vision, and values.
• Thorough knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
• Ability to supervise others, conduct employee evaluations, staff training and development, take appropriate disciplinary/corrective actions, and make hiring/termination recommendations.
• Must possess superior writing and communication skills and be able to present ideas and opinions clearly in oral, written, and electronic form.
• Excellent organizational skills are required in order to balance the various administrative and programmatic demands.
• Work requires responsiveness to quick deadlines and providing thoughtful analysis in a timely manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the disability community, the legal community, and organizations led by people with disabilities, people with lived experiences, and people from marginalized communities.
• Ability to work effectively with fellow agency employees, opposing counsel, service providers, legislators, and other community stakeholders.
• Ability to treat all people with courtesy and respect.
• Ability to create, maintain and improve the culture of teamwork, cultural competency, excellent customer service, and cost-effective use of the people’s resources.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
• Respect for people with all manner of disabilities and respect for all members of the disability community and its allies.
• Ability to think critically and creatively to address client objectives.
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
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k 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
- 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. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
