The General Counsel functions as the chief legal advisor to the Governor and oversees the personnel and operations of the Governor's Legal Office. Duties include:• Determines and executes legal strategies for defending and advancing the Governor's policy and legislative agenda and achieving Administration priorities. • Advises the Governor, staff, and cabinet on the wide array of legal issues arising in the affairs of the Executive Branch, analyzing the legal, political, and practical considerations of alternative courses of action.• Drafts, analyzes, and advises on legislation; contributes to formulation and passage of state budgets; and builds and maintains relationships with citizens, legislators, association groups, and other stakeholders to contribute to team effectiveness.• Represents the Governor and state's interests in litigation and manages outside counsel; develops and implements legal policy for Executive Branch; and serves as Governor's Office liaison to agency counsel and the Attorney General's Office.• Advises the Governor on the approval of settlement authority in agency litigation and reviews proposed settlement agreements.• Oversees legal sufficiency reviews of all agency contracts for professional services, IT services, capital improvements, and highway construction.• Advises the Governor on clemency petitions in death penalty cases.• Educates and advises Governor and staff on state ethics and transparency laws, and oversees the Governor's Office's compliance program.• Participates in the appointments process for filling judicial vacancies.• Coordinates state of emergency declarations and resolves legal issues arising during natural disasters and other emergencies.

Representation of clients in a wide array of legal matters, including business law, employment law, commercial litigation, estate planning (wills & trusts), probate, and political law (elections, campaign finance & ethics compliance).