Litigation Manager

Note:
Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at:

Step into a leadership role that blends high level legal strategy with meaningful public service. As the Litigation Manager for the Department of Labor & Industry, you will lead a dedicated litigation team that helps ensure fair, timely, and lawful decisions that affect Montana workers, employers, and licensed professionals. This position offers the opportunity to shape legal outcomes, mentor talented attorneys, and contribute to a collaborative, growth oriented legal environment that supports the Department’s mission.

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

• Responsiveness
• Respect
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Cohesiveness

It’s about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.

The Legal Services unit provides advice and representation to the Department of Labor & Industry on collections and bankruptcy, workers’ compensation, wage and hour, independent contractors, licensing matters, and other regulatory and enforcement issues. The Litigation Manager serves as a supervising attorney who directs litigation strategy, manages a team of attorneys and staff, and ensures that client agencies receive timely, practical, and legally sound guidance.

This role supports the division’s goals by promoting consistent, defensible legal positions and by helping the Department deliver fair, safe, and efficient services to Montana’s workforce and business community. The position collaborates closely with other members of the Litigation Management Team to allocate work, manage risk, and continuously improve how legal services are delivered.

They Litigation Supervisor will:

• Lead litigation team: Provide day to day leadership, direction, and support to assigned Litigation Team attorneys and staff to ensure high quality legal work, professional growth, and accountability.
• Assign and manage cases: Oversee intake and assignment of client requests and cases involving collections and bankruptcy, the Uninsured Employers Fund, workers’ compensation, wage and hour, independent contractors, licensing, and other Department matters to ensure timely and effective handling.
• Provide legal representation: Represent the Department of Labor & Industry in administrative proceedings, district court, and other forums as needed, including preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, and oral advocacy.
• Advise agency clients: Exercise sound legal judgment in advising Department programs so services are delivered fairly and safely, without imposing unnecessary or unreasonable burdens on Montana professionals and employers.
• Ensure legal quality and consistency: Review and guide complex or sensitive cases, ensuring that legal positions are well researched, aligned with statutes and regulations, and consistent with Department priorities.
• Coordinate with leadership: Collaborate with the Litigation Management Team and program leadership to plan workloads, set priorities, and address emerging legal issues affecting Department operations.
• Foster stakeholder relationships: Build and maintain effective working relationships with courts, board members, legislators, Department staff, and members of the public to support trust in the Department’s legal processes.
• Promote continuous improvement: Identify trends, legal risks, and process improvements in litigation and advisory work, and recommend changes that enhance efficiency, quality, and customer service.

This position is based in Helena, Montana, within the Department of Labor & Industry’s Legal Services unit. The primary work location is the central office in Helena; any options for remote or hybrid work will be determined in accordance with Department policies and operational needs. Travel may be required on an as needed basis for hearings, meetings, or other official business.

The…