Staff Attorney 2

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace, and promote safe products and services for Connecticut consumers.  DCP's Legal Division is responsible for case development, negotiation and prosecution at administrative hearings. The Legal Division consists of twenty-two attorneys, paralegals, investigators and support staff.

The Legal Division has a current opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2 to work in an environment that is critical to sustaining public health and safety in the state. This position focuses on case development and administrative prosecution related to the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).

The office is located at 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford, CT.

The position is full time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.  Alternative work hours may be available upon request. however, incumbents must be flexible to meet the needs of the agency.  

Interested candidates must submit a resume in the "resume tab"  of the application package. 

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Mitch Samal, Mitchell.j.samal@ct.gov, (860) 713-5107.   

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

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  a cover letter, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in this class may apply for a lateral transfer.

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the legal work of the agency.

Performs advanced and complex legal work of an agency; researches, interprets, analyzes and applies complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles; acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings on a full range of cases involving complex legal and technical issues; 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 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 and applies complex or conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles; participates in the conduct of various educational activities; provides legal guidance when duly authorized; provides input into policy formation; may testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; may represent agency in court when authorized; reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations; prepares and maintains precedent manuals; reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; performs related duties as required.

This specific attorney will also:

- develop cases alongside investigators, DCP attorneys and the Attorney General's office;

- support and manage cases jointly developed with the Attorney General's office;

- issue subpoenas and civil investigative demands;

- draft complaints and prosecute cases in front of hearing officers;

- coordinate Market Fairness group meetings, the CUTPA interagency coordination group; and

- perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Commissioner and the Legal Director. 

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

STAFF ATTORNEY 2: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.
STAFF ATTORNEY 3: Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law at the level of Staff Attorney 2 in the same state agency.

• One (1) year of experience in administrative law or consumer protection law

• Two (2) years of experience in litigation or administrative hearings

• Experience drafting legal pleadings and conducting legal arguments

• Experience developing a case strategy to achieve a specific legal remedy

• Experience negotiating legal settlements

1. Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
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.