Staff Attorney 1

The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is responsible for investigating possible violations of law of our over 315,000 credential holders, as well as oversight over all other individual and entities operating businesses in the state by virtue of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. The DCP Legal Division regularly holds administrative hearings and, where appropriate, issues fines, revokes licenses or imposes other penalties.  A significant portion of the workload for DCP comes from cases and complaints involving the Home Improvement Act.  There are approximately 26,000 registered home improvement contractors in the state of Connecticut. 

There are a large number of complaints against contractors every year, and the Department takes such complaints and investigations seriously.

As a result, DCP's Legal Division has a current opportunity for a Staff Attorney 1. We are in significant need of finding an attorney to perform the legal sufficiency review and criminal referral analysis.  In addition, this attorney would help work on cases referred over from investigations related to the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practice Act (CUTPA).

This position is located at 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford. It is full time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Alternative work hours may be available upon request. 

Interested candidates are required to upload a cover letter and resume with their submission. (NOTE: in order to upload documents, you must ensure that your Internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation into JobAps). Questions about these required documents should be directed to Deborah Craig, Deborah.craig@ct.gov, 860-713-5313. 

 

This position is non-examined. Open to the public.

Proof of a degree from an accredited law school must be provided prior to employment.

In a state agency this class is accountable for receiving on the job training in all aspects of agency legal work.

Receives generalized training in all aspects of agency legal work; acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings involving legal and technical issues; analyzes complex and technical evidence; negotiates and drafts settlement agreements; drafts advisory opinions, rulings, decisions, recommendations, findings, legislation, statutes, regulations, publications and other related legal documents; assists in the preparation and presentation of trials and appeals; consults with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues; researches routine legal issues and assists in researching complex legal issues; conducts investigations and enforcement proceedings; prepares comprehensive reports for use in administrative and court proceedings; prepares pleadings and other court papers; interprets statutes, regulations and rulings; participates in the conduct of various educational activities; may provide legal counsel and advice when duly authorized; may testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations; assists in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals; reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; performs related duties as required.

The anticipated scope of this specific Staff Attorney 1 will include, but not be limited to:

• Vetting home improvement criminal cases and coordinating prosecution of cases with the Office of the Attorney General;

• Vetting occupational trades criminal cases and coordinating prosecution of cases with the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office; and

• Supporting DCP attorneys on administrative enforcement actions related to home improvement and occupational trades cases. 

Knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut; knowledge of legal research techniques; knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and civil procedures; knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of the rules of evidence; some knowledge of criminal and constitutional law and legislative process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statues; ability to comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

A degree from an accredited law school.

• Knowledge of administrative law and/or consumer protection law

• Experience in litigation or administrative hearings

• Experience managing or responding to governmental investigations

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

• Experience conducting legal research and analyzing business records

• Experience with project and case management

1. Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut within one (1) year of the date of appointment. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
2. May be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.