Closing Date: 3rd November, 2026

Description:

Job Summary:
Hybrid work schedule available, up to 50% telework depending on business needs. Telework can be outside of the State of Minnesota if the candidate lives in a state bordering Minnesota and lives 50 miles or less from the primary work location. Primary work location will be the Golden Rule Building in St. Paul.

Internal candidates should contact the Human Resources Representative listed on the job posting with questions.

The Deputy General Counsel acts as the lead legal advisor for assigned Commerce business units to realize the mission and goals of the Department. The Deputy General Counsel acts independently and advises on complex legal issues a focus on appropriate consideration of risk exposure and balancing of operational needs. This position provides litigation direction and assistance and advises and drafts legislative and regulatory proposals. The attorney in this Deputy General Counsel role is responsible for regularly providing direct advice to agency leadership. This position is also responsible for leading the Department's Resource Acquisition and Distribution (RAD) team related to grants management, Data Governance staff, and Contracts team to meet the Department's goals.

The position holder serves as an alternate for the General Counsel when assigned. The position holder reports directly to the General Counsel and must have a high degree of technical and procedural experience in Department subject matter and legal areas. This employee is an experienced attorney who advises the agency and can 1) claim privilege over communications and work product; and 2) give privileged legal advice.

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Five (5) years of advanced legal experience in litigation and/or administrative law in a law firm, government agency, or as in-house counsel.

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school

A current license in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota is required prior to appointment

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

Demonstrated leadership experience directing, coordinating, developing, or managing the work of staff, teams, or complex projects.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with diverse audiences, including agency leadership, employees, stakeholders, and external parties.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound independent judgment, assess complex issues, and maintain professionalism in challenging or sensitive situations.

Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of and experience applying state and federal laws and regulations related to insurance, financial institutions, or energy.

Experience planning and delivering complex legal information to non-legal audiences.
Experience working with other state agencies, the Legislature, the legal professional community, advocacy groups, and the public.

Physical Requirements:
Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.

Additional Requirements:
Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminal background check and drivers' license check prior to appointment.

Application Details
How to Apply:
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact:
If you have questions about this position, contact Human Resources at HR.Commerce@state.mn.us or 651-539-1506.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Human Resources at HR.Commerce@state.mn.us

About Commerce Department
Commerce protects the public interest through a broad range of regulations and programs. We oversee more than 40 industry areas in Minnesota and license about 250,000 professionals and businesses to ensure that their services and products are fair, accessible and comply with state laws.

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