Lawyer

Note:
Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at:

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry is hiring attorneys to serve as Agency Counsel on its litigation and transactions teams. The role involves representing the department and professional licensing boards, drafting rules and contracts, and advising on legal and regulatory matters. Applicants must hold a Juris Doctorate, be admitted to the Montana Bar and Federal District Courts, and submit a resume and cover letter indicating team preference.

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

• Responsiveness
• Respect
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Cohesiveness

It's about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.

In furtherance of the Mission of DLI, five Principles govern the work of the Office of Legal Services:

Professionalism. We creatively address issues based on curiosity, thorough research, and the law.

Ownership. We are reliable and accountable to our team, our clients, and ourselves.

Collaboration. We are effective when we have the confidence and humility to receive and provide consistent advice.

Impact. We see societal benefit, dignity, and empowerment in our everyday work. This matters.

Results. Our Professionalism, Ownership, Collaboration, and Impact are driven by and reflected in Data.

DLI is recruiting attorneys to join its transactions team and its litigation team. Please indicate in your cover letter which team you are interested in joining—or if you are open to either.

As Agency Counsel you will represent DLI and professional licensing boards.

• Representing DLI and professional licensing boards during all stages of administrative proceedings including board disciplinary and adjudication panels, contested case hearings, injunctive actions, district court judicial review, and Montana Supreme Court appellate review.
• Representing DLI in employment disputes, including wage and hour, prevailing wage, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and human rights.

• Drafting and reviewing administrative rules for DLI and its attached boards.
• Representing DLI and the quasi-judicial functions of its attached boards.
• Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and enforcing contracts.
• Policy research and legislative drafting.
• State and federal compliance reviews for DLI programs.
• Occasional representation of DLI or its boards in appropriate litigation before administrative tribunals and the courts.
• Providing day‑to‑day advice for DLI boards and programs.

Communication and collaboration

• Delivers clear, concise written and verbal communication tailored to legal, legislative, and public audiences, including courts, board members, legislators, Department staff, and Montana citizens.
• Builds productive working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to support the Department’s objectives and resolve issues collaboratively.

Legal analysis and problem solving

• Identifies, researches, and analyzes complex legal issues to develop practical, defensible recommendations and action plans.
• Leads or contributes to the development of strategies to resolve legal and regulatory problems, ensuring alignment with the Department’s mission and statutory authority.

Regulatory and procedural expertise

• Applies working knowledge of administrative, litigation, and legislative procedures in preparing, reviewing, and presenting legal and regulatory matters.
• Interprets and applies relevant state and federal statutes, regulations, case law, and constitutional provisions to support Department programs and decision‑making.

Board advising and regulatory judgment

• Advises regulatory boards on policies, rules, and decisions that promote fair and safe delivery of professional services to the public.
• Exercises sound legal and regulatory judgment to balance public protection with avoiding…