Closing Date: 9th November, 2026

Description:

Job Overview:
The Tennessee Military Department consists of the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tennessee Air National Guard, Tennessee State Guard, and the Administrative Services Division. This position is responsible for advising the General Counsel, The Adjutant General and other Departmental leadership on legal matters, including but not limited to employment law, legislation, policy, legal claims, litigation, property acquisition and jurisdiction, contracts, agreements, and open records.

Key Responsibilities:

Provides general legal support and legal advice on behalf of the General Counsel to Command leadership, senior leaders, and other management officials on a wide range of legal issues, including employment law issues, legislation, claims, litigation, property acquisition and jurisdiction, counter-drug, war records, contracts, open records, and compliance with all applicable federal and state law, rules and regulations, and policies.
Provides legal counsel to departmental leadership, in coordination with the Governor's legal office and the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General, pertaining to use of Tennessee National Guard, ensuring that the Department is following federal and state law.
Provides counsel and legal review regarding employment and personnel matters, including disciplinary actions, performance management, performance improvement plans, and corrective adverse personnel actions.
Conducts legal review of proposed disciplinary actions, employee counseling documents, and supporting personnel records to assess legal sufficiency, consistency, and compliance with applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures.
Provides legal guidance regarding equal opportunity matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, reasonable accommodations, and compliance with federal and state equal opportunity laws.
Coordinates and prepares responses to complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and other applicable administrative agencies, including reviewing allegations, gathering relevant information and documentation, advising leadership and Human Resources, and ensuring timely and legally sufficient responses, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Administers and provides legal guidance regarding employee grievances, complaints, and allegations of misconduct or violations of department policies, procedures, or applicable laws, rules and regulations; advises Human Resources, leadership, and management; coordinates with appropriate internal and external investigative authorities, evaluating potential legal exposure, recommending appropriate corrective actions and resolutions, in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and policies.
Provides legal guidance on employee leave entitlements, reasonable accommodations, and related employment obligations including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and other applicable employment laws.
Research legal issues, providing statutory and case law, draft and review, opinions, and legally viable resolutions for leadership.
Provide guidance to Departmental leadership, directors, managers, and supervisors on their role in minimizing potential for litigation, their responses to the public and media regarding legal issues and litigation, and preparation for testimony in court and in administrative hearings.
Assists in the development of legislative proposals, amendments, and analysis of proposed legislation.
Draft, review and provide guidance pertaining to Military Department legislation while coordinating with the Legislative Liaison, the Governor's Office, and legislative legal staff. Provides advice on revisions to legislation, rules, and regulations.
Recommend changes to Departmental policies and practices to best comply with changing legal requirements and obligations.
Performs complex and routine legal review and analysis in order to formulate potential courses of action that supports the agency's mission and maintains as permitted by federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Doctor of Jurisprudence.
Licensed to Practice Law in the State of Tennessee.
Minimum of 3 years of legal practice, preferably in governmental legal offices.
Employment law and personnel matters: Experience in handling EEO complaints and EEOC administrative charges; employee grievances; workplace investigations and disciplinary actions; and other employment related matters.
Knowledge of employment laws: Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act, Tennessee Human Rights Act, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
Experience in real property law: Experience researching, interpreting, drafting, or reviewing real property documents and agreements, including property acquisitions, leases, licenses, easements, property use agreements, and matters involving real property rights and jurisdiction.