Human Rights Attorney 1

 

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education.

CHRO has a current opportunity for a Human Rights Attorney 1 in our Legal Division located at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT.  This position will assist with the development of sexual harassment training materials, updating the materials including rapid changes in the law, and maintaining the training domain.  This position will also assist in protecting the public from discrimination in employment, housing, places of public accommodation and credit transactions by mediating,  investigating and litigating discriminatory practice complaints before human rights referees or in the Superior Court.

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Mon - Fri, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: DOL.HR@ct.gov.  

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

In the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities this class is accountable for performing legal research and work in the agency's Legal Division.

As a legal practitioner receives generalized training in routine to moderately complex legal work; prepares and represents Commission in contested case hearings and litigation before other administrative bodies and lower courts in matters jointly prescribed by Commission and Office of the Attorney General including but not limited to employment discrimination cases and any proceeding where a state agency or officer is an adversary party; attends settlement, conciliation, mediation and pre-trial conferences; assists and provides legal counsel and assistance to Commission constituent units; analyzes and applies state and federal statutes, rules and regulations, constitutional provisions, administrative and court decisions and other legal authorities; assists in preparing and representing Commission in more difficult cases; interviews witnesses, complainants, corporate and governmental officials, takes or attends depositions and prepares evidence in form of statements, documents, records, exhibits, photographs and electronic recordings for presentation in administrative or court proceedings; performs legal research and prepares legal memoranda on assigned cases; prepares subpoenas, affidavits and interrogatories in connection with cases in litigation or under investigation; may act independently in these areas as assigned; performs related duties as required.

This specific position:

Prepares and represents the Commission in investigations, contested case hearings and court litigation;

Attends settlement, conciliation, mediation and pre-trial conferences;

Assists in providing legal counsel to Commission constituent units;

Takes or attends depositions and prepares evidence for trial; 

Makes recommendations on requests for reconsideration or reopening of closed cases;

Performs legal research and prepares legal memoranda, training materials, and outreach materials;

Develops and maintains training materials to ensure they comply with the law;

Assists with responding to training-related inquiries.  

Considerable knowledge of basic legal principles and their application; knowledge of federal and state civil rights legislation; knowledge of administrative and constitutional law and rules of evidence; knowledge of pleadings and motion practice; knowledge of economic and social impact of discrimination on protected classes; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; litigation and legal counseling skills or aptitude; ability to analyze legal problems.

A degree from an accredited law school.

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. Incumbents in this class 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.