Lawyer

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.

MISSION STATEMENT:
Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

DLI CORE VALUES:

• Respect
• Integrity

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 unnecessary or unfair burdens on Montana’s professional workforce.

Your preparation for this opportunity could include a combination of relevant experiences including:

• This position requires a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and admittance to the Montana Bar and Federal District Courts.

A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach…