Deputy General Counsel

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and contracts.
• Ensure contracts comply with legal requirements and policies.
• Manage agreement databases, templates, and tracking systems.
• Prepare deeds, easements, deeds of trust, subordination agreements, boundary agreements, and other legal instruments.
• Conduct real estate closings for land transfers.
• Conduct or assist with administrative hearings.
• Respond to inquiries concerning laws the department is charged with enforcing.
• Perform legal research on a wide variety of legal issues, including those arising under real property law, contract law, employment law, constitutional law, federal and state administrative law, and environmental law.
• Present legal recommendations to the numerous boards under the purview of the department.
• Coordinate with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office in litigation matters involving employment disputes, real property disputes, and condemnation actions.
• Perform due diligence on real estate transactions.
• Assist with legislative rulemaking and code changes as needed.
• Provide training and educational seminars for department staff, department partners, and the public on agriculture and conservation matters.
• Provide legal advice and guidance on all matters as required.
• Negotiate and draft mineral leases.
• Other duties as assigned. 

• Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in the practice areas of real property law, contract law, constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, and litigation.
• Ability to perform title examinations and other legal research.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent legal writing and analytical skills.
• Strong transactional skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with the highest degree of professional responsibility.

Admission to the West Virginia State Bar within 24 months of employment.