Senior Legal Counsel-OEIC

Introduction

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

This position is Unclassified per ORC 124.11 (A) (30).

Background check and drug screening required prior to employment.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*.

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

* Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Under the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel and/or Deputy Chief Legal Counsel and in collaboration with the Ohio Elections Integrity Commission (OEIC) and the Public Integrity Division, the Senior Legal Counsel provides legal, procedural, and administrative support to the Commission and the Office of the Secretary of State. This position ensures that OEIC operations, investigations, and decisions are conducted in compliance with Ohio law, administrative procedure, and best practices for transparency and due process.

They also assist with legal research, drafting, and analysis related to election integrity, administrative enforcement, and Commission governance while advising SoS leadership on related legal and policy matters.

• Provide direct legal support to the OEIC in the interpretation and application of statutes, administrative rules, and Commission procedures.
• Draft and review OEIC advisory opinions, orders, and enforcement findings in coordination with Commission members and SOS leadership.
• Advise the OEIC on matters involving evidence review, due process, public records, and open meeting law compliance.
• Assist in developing and maintaining policies and procedures governing the OEIC’s operations, case review, and hearings.

• Conduct legal research on OEIC, elections and campaign finance-related issues.
• Draft decisions and recommendations based on statute, case law, and public policy considerations.
• Review court decisions, compile after-action reports, and support preparation of directives, advisories, guidance, reports, and training materials.
• Collaborate with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on pending litigation and coordinate discovery and filings, as directed.

• Monitor, process, and respond to public records requests under the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel, and Director of Operations, as needed.
• Assist in developing and implementing program policies and procedures for the Legal Services Division.
• Evaluate and investigate complaints about board of elections operations or the electoral process; summarize findings and make recommendations to leadership.
• Prepare responses to legal inquiries from boards of elections, government officials, and the public.
• Maintain archival litigation files, monitor developments in law, and ensure records retention and confidentiality compliance.

• Coordinate logistics and develop materials for Legal Services seminars, trainings, and presentations in collaboration with SOS divisions.
• Prepare contracts, correspondence, and other legal documents as directed.
• Review and route communications on behalf of the Chief Legal…