Lawyer 1 or 2

Closing Date: 27th November, 2025

Description:

Our services impact EVERY Montanan!

Mission Statement
To Be the Nation's Most Citizen Oriented, Efficiently Administered, State Tax Agency.

The Montana Department of Revenue Administers Almost 40 State Taxes, Property Appraisals, Liquor Laws, Unclaimed Property, and Cannabis Law for The State of Montana. the Legal Services Division Provides Support for The Director and Department Employees Relating to Tax Policy, Legal, Human Resources, Training, Enterprise Planning, Communications and Taxpayer Assistance, Dispute Resolution, Call Center, Accounting and Budgeting, Contracts, Facilities and Purchasing, and Security.

Make an Impact
Every Day, the Montana Department of Revenue's Work Touches the Lives of All Montanans. from Administering More than 40 State Taxes to Overseeing Property Appraisals, Liquor Laws, Unclaimed Property, and Cannabis Regulation, We Play a Vital Role in Supporting the State's Public Services and Economy.

Our Legal Services Division Helps Guide that Work by Providing Trusted Legal Advice, Strong Representation, and Sound Tax Policy Support. We Are Looking for Two Talented Attorneys to Join Our Team.

Why You'll Love Working Here
When You Join the Montana Department of Revenue, You'll Have the Chance to Contribute to Fair and Efficient Tax Administration While Developing Expertise that Matters to Both the State and Your Career.

You'll Be Working in A Legal Office with A Culture that Values Communication and Work with Your Colleagues and Clients, Professional Growth, Integrity in Public Service, and A Balance Between Montana's Quality of Life and Challenging Work.

What We Can Offer You:
The State of Montana's Comprehensive Benefits Package Includes:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Care; Life Insurance; and Long-Term Disability. the State Currently Contributes $12,648/year Toward These Benefits.
• Free Health Care for Employees and Eligible Family Member at Montana Health Centers.
• Employee Assistance Benefits Including Counseling, Legal Assistance, Well-Being Coaching, Financial Information, Which Are Free Resources.
• Retirement Plans- the State Currently Contributes 9.17%, Vested After 5 Years of Continuous Employment.
• Paid Vacation- Starting at 15 Days a Year.
• Sick Leave- 12 Days a Year.
• 11 Holidays, Including a Floating Holiday, Which Can Be Used Any Time.
• Flexible Hours.
• Eligibility to Participate in The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (pslf) Program.

Visit the Health Care and Benefits Division for More Information at Https://benefits.Mt.Gov/. in Addition to Employee Benefits, There Are a Wide Range of Advancement Opportunities Throughout the Department of Revenue.

Job Overview:
This Position Resides in The Director's Office Division (https://revenue.mt.gov/about/directors-office) of Department of Revenue. (https://revenue.mt.gov/)

What You'll Do:
As Tax Counsel, You Will:

• Serve as A Trusted Legal Advisor Within the Department of Revenue.
• Manage Your Own Caseload Covering a Range of Tax and Administrative Law Issues.
• Collaborate with Senior Attorneys on Major or Precedent Setting Litigation as You Deepen Your Expertise in Tax Litigation, Administrative Law, and Constitutional Matters.
• Contribute to The Policy and Procedural Framework that Ensures Fair and Consistent Tax Administration Across Montana.
• Review Complex Factual Scenarios and Develop Sound Legal Strategies.
• Represent the Department in Civil Cases Before the Department of Revenue's Office of Dispute Resolution, the Montana Tax Appeal Board, and Montana Courts.
• Provide Legal Advice to Department Staff and Leadership on Statutory Interpretation and Policy Questions.
• Draft and Interpret Rules, Legislation, and Policy Language.
• Work with Senior Attorneys on Complex or Precedent‑setting Litigation.

As Senior Tax Counsel, You'll Also:

• Help Lead the Department's Most Complex and High Value Litigation Involving State Revenue and Taxpayer Disputes.
• Act as Lead Counsel in Cases Before Administrative Bodies, State and Federal Courts, and Appellate Courts.
• Advise the Department's Executive Leadership on Emerging Legal Issues Affecting Tax Law, Collections, and Bankruptcy.
• Conduct and Oversee Extensive Legal Research, Discovery, and Preparation for Trial and Appeal.
• Help Develop Rulemaking Through Analysis and Legal Drafting.
• Shape the Department's Legal Strategy and Ensure Consistency Across Cases and Policy Areas.
• Work with Counsel and Leaders Across State Agencies on Issues with Cross Jurisdictional Impact.
• Represent the Department in Federal and State Courts, up To and Including the Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court.
• Offer Expert Legal Guidance on Litigation Strategy, State Tax Policy, Collections, and Bankruptcy.

We Currently Have 2 Openings and Both Roles Are Based in Helena and Report to The Deputy Chief Legal Counsel.

Knowledge Of:

• Montana Tax Law and Tax Cases.
• Court and Hearing Rules and Procedures Including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, the Uniform District Court Rules, and The Montana Administrative Procedure Act.
• Court Rules and Trial Procedures.
• Judicial Processes and Procedures Relative to Administrative Hearings and State and Federal Courts.
• Bill Drafting and Legislation.
• Civil Litigation Techniques and Trial Strategies.
• Appellate Court Argument Procedures and Techniques.
• The Constitutions of Montana and The United States.
• Legal Research Methods and Procedures.
• State and Federal Laws, Case Law, Court Rulings, Constitutional Provisions, and Basic Principles, Practices, and Terminology Relative to The Assigned Areas.
• Operations of State Government and Administrative Procedures.

Skills In:

• Research and Analysis
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail
• Conflict Resolution & Customer Service
• Microsoft Programs and Other Database Applications
• Written, Verbal, and Interpersonal Communication

You Would Be a Great Fit for This Position if You:

• Demonstrate Self-Motivation
• Follow Instructions
• Foster and Maintain Healthy Working Relationships
• Provide Timely, Customer Service
• Handle Multiple Priorities Under Deadlines

To Be Considered for Any Dor Position, Applicants Must Complete and Submit Their Application Online and Upload Any Required Documents. Successful Applicants Are Required to Successfully Pass Dor Tax and Background Check(s). Dor Is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and People with Disabilities Are Encouraged to Apply.
*this Is an Incomplete List of Job Duties. for A Complete Job Description Please Contact Human Resources. (dorhr@mt.Gov or 406-444-9858)

(all Computer Systems and Tax Guidelines Will Be Trained on The Job.)

Required Application Materials:
Please Submit the Following Application Material:

• Resume
• Complete State Application

Submissions Incomplete or Missing Relevant Materials Will Not Be Reviewed or Considered.

Applicant Pool Statement: If Another Department Vacancy Occurs in This Job Title Within Six Months, the Same Applicant Pool May Be Used for The Selection.

Special Requirements:
Eligibility for Employment Will Be Subject to The Following:

• Criminal Background Check. Circumstances Involving Convictions Will Be Reviewed
• Tax Status Must Be Current. Circumstances Involving Tax Status Issues Will Be Reviewed

Working Conditions:

• Work Hours May Exceed 40 Hours from Time to Time, Including Weekends.
• Office Environment.
• Lifting Is Infrequent, Less than 15 Pounds.
• Some Travel May Be Required, Must Have a Valid Driver's License.

Remote/telework: This Position May Be Eligible to Work from An Approved Worksite, However the Successful Candidate Must Be a Primary Resident of Montana as A Condition of Employment. This Position Would Be Required to Report to A Department of Revenue Office Assigned by The Supervisor. Employees Must Meet and Sustain Department of Revenue Telework Eligibility Requirements and Supervisor's Approval to Participate in The Dor Telework Program. Fulltime Telework Is Not Available.

Training Assignment: This Agency May Use a Training Assignment. Employees in Training Assignments May Be Paid Below the Base Pay Established by The Agency Pay Rules. Conditions of The Training Assignment Will Be Stated in Writing at The Time of Hire.

Successful Applicants Are Required to Successfully Pass Dor Tax and Background Check(s).

Education / Experience:
The Above Competencies Are Typically Acquired Through a Combination of Education and Experience Equivalent To:

• The Tax Counsel Means that You Have:
• Juris Doctor (j.D.)

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