Tax Attorney 1

Who We Are:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Revenue Services (DRS), endeavors to provide fair, consistent and efficient services to administer the tax laws of the State of CT. We advocate for sound tax policy and strive to collect tax revenue in an accurate, timely and reliable fashion to support and fund the crucial services to all of our CT citizens. We provide the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and excellent customer service for our tax payers.

The Litigation Division is responsible for representing the Commissioner of Revenue Service in actions before courts, boards, and commissions including, but not limited to, tax appeals in the Connecticut Superior Court and administrative proceedings such as those occurring in front of the Freedom of Information Commission. Litigation also coordinates the representation of the Commissioner’s interests in collections and criminal matters before Connecticut’s Superior Courts with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the State’s Attorney.

In addition to the above, Litigation provides legal guidance to other units in the Department of Revenue Services regarding litigation matters, collections issues, tax crimes, and criminal procedure. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing and reviewing subpoenas, warrants, and collections forms and notices. Litigation counsel is responsible for providing internal and external guidance regarding Connecticut’s Insurance Premiums and Health Care Provider taxes including responding to internal and external inquiries, drafting publications, issuing rulings, and reviewing forms. Counsel for Litigation is also responsible for coordinating with the Office of the Attorney General with respect to Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) matters.

The Tax Attorney 1 in the Litigation Division will be responsible for assisting the other attorneys in the Division with all aspects of civil litigation, primarily consisting of tax appeals, including drafting routine motions, assisting with drafting written discovery, pretrial briefs and motions for summary judgment, and assisting in the preparation of trials. The Tax Attorney 1 will also be responsible for providing legal guidance to the Department’s Appellate Division with respect to its review of administrative tax protests. Additionally, the Tax Attorney 1 may help coordinate the Commissioner’s representation by the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the State’s Attorney in certain collections and criminal matters, respectively.

Primary in the mission of the Department is to achieve the highest level of voluntary taxpayer compliance. Voluntary compliance is driven in large part by the Department’s ability to enforce the state’s tax laws. This position is absolutely necessary and critical as it will be accountable for assisting with matters relating to the Department’s statutorily prescribed responsibilities to litigate tax appeals and to have representation in collections and criminal litigation.

This is a (40) hours per week position, working Monday through Friday, located at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency’s Human Resources office: deborah.craig@po.state.ct.us, (860) 297-5700.

In the Department of Revenue Services, this class is accountable for performing duties on legal and litigation matters including assisting in preparing and representing the Commissioner before the State's Tax Court, providing legal advice to department administrators, providing information on legal matters to members of the public and drafting and issuing rulings and determinations involving a wide range of legal and tax matters.

As a legal practitioner, researches legal issues; assists in performing and eventually performs more complex legal work; prepares and represents the Commissioner in litigated tax appeals; issues and responds to discovery; drafts and responds to pleadings; drafts, responds to and argues various motions; drafts memoranda of law; prepares witnesses, conducts trials and drafts closing documents; prepares rulings and opinions; assists in drafting of proposed regulations and legislation; may act independently in areas assigned; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of basic law and legal process, legal principles and practices and administrative law; knowledge of state statutes and case law pertaining to state taxes; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to analyze and draft legal documents.

A degree from an accredited Law School.

A demonstrated interest in tax law or civil litigation.
Experience conducting complex legal research and drafting motions, memoranda, or briefs.

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.

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.