Introduction
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The Tax Litigation Director will report to the First Assistant Commissioner and will be responsible for overseeing the Appellate Subdivision and the Litigation Subdivision and will have responsibility for all aspects of litigation involving the Commissioner and the Department. With regard to the Appellate Subdivision, the Tax Litigation Director will be responsible for overseeing the Department’s administrative review process and directing the work of the staff assigned to the Subdivision, whose duties include making findings of fact, analyzing and evaluating all arguments raised by the taxpayers, gathering all pertinent documentation, and conducting all necessary research. The Tax Litigation Director will be responsible for rendering, on behalf of the Commissioner, all final determinations in connection with protests filed with the Appellate Subdivision and for identifying issues that are likely to be appealed to Court. In addition, the Tax Litigation Director will provide legal advice and guidance to the staff in the Appellate Subdivision and coordinate the interaction with and transition of protests to the Litigation Subdivision.
With regard to the Litigation Subdivision, the Tax Litigation Director will be responsible for the preparation of tax cases for trial before the Tax Session of the Superior Court including issuing subpoenas, taking depositions, issuing interrogatories, filing pleadings, drafting and submission of pre and post-trial memoranda of law, conducting trials and drafting settlement agreements and closing documents. The Tax Litigation Director will direct the preparation for and representation of the Department in all court ordered pretrial settlement conferences held before a Superior Court judge and will act as the Department liaison with the Office of the Attorney General. The Tax Litigation Director will advise and assist the Office of the Attorney General in all appeals of decisions of the Tax Court. Additionally, the Tax Litigation Director will be responsible for making recommendations regarding tax policy in the areas of litigation, collections, and insurance premiums and healthcare provider taxes, as well as acting as a liaison with other units/divisions within the Department and other state agencies with regard to these matters. The Tax Litigation Director will supervise the attorneys and paraprofessionals within the Litigation Subdivision and establish and maintain the Subdivision’s policies and procedures.
PLEASE NOTE: All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.
Selection Plan
In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Revenue Services, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.
*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period. For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).
Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.
This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.
Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.
If you have any questions pertaining to this posting please email Catherine.Downey@CT.Gov.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Revenue Services this class is accountable for overseeing litigation and for representing the Commissioner of Revenue Services on appeals involving all taxes adminstered by the Department.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Prepares or oversees the preparation of tax cases for trial before the Tax Session of the Superior Court including issuing subpoenas, taking depositions, issuing interrogatories, filing pleadings, drafting and submission of pre and post trial memoranda of law, conducting trials and drafting settlement agreements and closing documents; directs the preparation for and representation of the Department in all court ordered pretrial settlement conferences held before a Superior Court judge; acts as the Department liaison with the Office of the Attorney General; advises and assists the Office of the Attorney General in all appeals of decisions of the Tax Court; manages staff assigned to litigation; performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of basic law and legal process, legal principles and practice, administrative law, constitutional law, rules of process and rights and obligations of the Department; considerable knowledge of advanced trial and appellate process; considerable depth of knowledge in tax law; considerable knowledge of statutory authority and operation of the Department; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable ability in oral and written communications.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Seven (7) years of experience in the practice of law handling tax matters.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Four (4) years of experience must have been litigating tax cases.
Note: For State employees this is at the level of a Tax Attorney 2.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
Four (4) years as an Assistant Attorney General 2 with some experience litigating tax cases may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates that possess:
- Experience in all aspects of litigating tax appeals before the Tax Session of the Superior Court, including conducting trials, taking depositions, arguing motions, and drafting memoranda of law;
- Experience with Appellate Division practices and procedures;
- Experience leading staff by thinking critically, managing productivity, defining expectations and establishing measurable goals;
- Experience managing and collaborating throughout all levels of a diverse staff to achieve common goals;
- Experience implementing change by utilizing communication, research, strategic thinking, leadership and analytical skills to meet desired goals.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
Conclusion
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.
