Deputy Legal Counsel

Who We Are

Colorado Governor-elect Phil Weiser is committed to an administration that represents all of Colorado, and serves and protects every Coloradan. Governor-elect Weiser and his team will lead State government to ensure that we serve the people of Colorado, working to make their lives better, and together, we meet opportunities and challenges with creativity, collaboration, and compassion.

His commitment to serve as the People’s Governor means that he and his team will have a sustained focus on how to make Colorado safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and a great place to live, build a business, and raise a family.

We Have Strong Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. We are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, acting with integrity, and operating transparently; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about improving the lives of the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to solve problems creatively and operate with a continuous improvement mindset; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other as a team and collaborate effectively.

Department Information

The Governor’s staff includes offices for boards and commissions, budgeting, cabinet affairs, communications, intergovernmental affairs, legal counsel, legislative affairs, policy and initiatives, and scheduling.

The Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel provides legal advice and analysis to the Governor, the Governor’s Office, and the Governor’s Cabinet in areas of legal complexity and importance. The attorneys in the office play key roles in legislative bill review and engagement, policy research and development, drafting of executive orders, judicial appointments at all levels of Colorado courts, granting of clemency, media responses, and designing and implementing strategic policies and goals.

The office also represents the Governor in discussions with stakeholders and elected officials, advocates for the Governor’s agenda and policy objectives, and works with the Office of the Attorney General to manage litigation involving the state, the Governor, and agencies.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple Deputy Legal Counsel positions.

• Description of Job
• Department: Office of the Governor; Office of Legal Counsel
• Position Title: Deputy Legal Counsel

Summary of Functions: The Deputy Legal Counsel advises the Governor, the Governor’s Office, and agencies on legal and policy challenges facing the administration, develops creative solutions to complex problems, and works in a fast-paced environment. The Deputy Legal Counsel is part of the Office of Legal Counsel. The office is led by the Chief Legal Counsel and includes a Principal Deputy Legal Counsel, other Deputy Legal Counsel, a paralegal, and an executive assistant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise the Governor, the Governor’s Office, and agencies on legal and policy challenges facing the administration
• Manage a portfolio of agencies and legal subject matter, working collaboratively with the entire team to address and resolve legal issues
• Evaluate complex laws, case law, and legal principles to provide actionable advice, sometimes within hours
• Support legislative bill review and engagement, policy research and development, and the drafting of executive orders
• Support judicial appointments at all levels of Colorado courts and the granting of clemency
• Convey legal opinions and options through written and oral communication, and support media responses
• Represent the Governor in discussions with stakeholders and elected officials, and advocate for the Governor’s agenda and policy objectives
• Work with the Office of the Attorney General to manage litigation involving the state, the Governor, and agencies
• Develop creative solutions to complex problems and help design and implement strategic policies and goals
• Work well and cooperatively as a member of the Governor’s team, including as a strategic partner to Cabinet executive directors and Governor’s staff

Organizational Relationships: Chief Legal Counsel; Principal Deputy Legal Counsel; Office of Legal Counsel; Governor’s Office; Cabinet agencies; Office of the Attorney General; Legislative Affairs.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Conditions of Employment

• Education/Experience: A minimum of five years of experience practicing law as an attorney
• Admission to the Colorado Bar or clear eligibility to waive into the Colorado Bar
• Good standing with the respective state bar at the time of application

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising organizational leaders, and demonstrated ability to advise on complex matters
• Commitment to public service and Colorado
• Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to be both consultative and persuasive
• Curiosity to learn new areas of the law, and experience in critical and creative thinking
• A strong work ethic and the ability to manage several projects, competing priorities, and short timelines at once
• Experience working in government or politics
• Strong people skills, including experience working effectively with a wide range of constituencies in diverse communities
• Conditions of employment: Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Supplemental Information
• A resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.
• Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.