Office of General Counsel

Annual Salary Range: $120,729 - $160,952

FLSA: Exempt / Non-Union Represented 

This position allows for up to four days of remote work per week.

About the Office

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is in-house counsel to the State Bar, providing a full range of services, including representation of the Bar in all state and federal courts and before administrative agencies; advocacy of Bar discipline and admission cases in the California Supreme Court; and, providing legal advice to the State Bar Board of Trustees, and all State Bar entities, executives, and programmatic clients.

OGC provides legal advice and representation in the following areas: admissions and discipline, antitrust, Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, bankruptcy, California Public Records Act, collections, contracts, copyright, governance, labor and employment, legislation, regulations and rules, real estate, regulatory work, and general corporate matters.

About the Position

OGC seeks a Principal Program Analyst with strong background and experience with working on and overseeing a range of highly complex activities related to data analysis, research, process development and project management. This position will also support OGC’s work with the Board of Trustees, assist with recruitment and staffing for the entire office, budgeting and other important functions of the office.

The Principal Program Analyst (OGC) reports to the General Counsel and is responsible for overseeing a range of highly complex activities related to data analysis, research, internal process development and project management for the entire OGC. This includes data collection, research, organizational planning, overseeing special projects, and developing internal policies and processes for the office. The Principal Program Analyst (OGC) also supports the office’s work with, relating to and communications with the Board of Trustees, and manages external communications under supervision of General Counsel or designee, including without limitation Deputy General Counsel or supervisors within OGC. Additionally, this position assists with recruitment and staffing for the entire office, helps develop the office's knowledge database and resources, policies, processes and procedures, and works on projects for the entire team. Other responsibilities include managing contracts, identifying opportunities for improving efficiency, monitoring, tracking and planning budgets. Overall, the Principal Program Analyst (OGC) plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth functioning of OGC and supporting the office’s mission of providing competent, and timely legal advice and guidance to the organization. Principal Program Analysist (OGC) will support and oversee other functions of OGC, as assigned. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Principal Program Analyst (OGC) assumes responsibility for development and implementation of comprehensive programs and projects that have an agency-wide impact. Duties deal with highly complex and sensitive issues. Incumbents are expected to work with minimal direction and may supervise and/or lead project support staff.

Examples Of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Implements data collection and research plan for OGC, to include fiscal, budgetary and operational analyses, development and presentation of data dashboards, and outcome evaluation. Work with internal customers and stakeholders to understand the results of analyses that are conducted, and to operationalize changes in practice or procedure that are implicated by those results.
• Oversees the implementation of special projects, particularly those crossing multiple units or Departments within the Bar.
• Develops and implements internal policies, guidelines, procedures and/or processes for OGC.
• Supports OGC’s work with and review of materials presented and/or considered by the Board of Trustees, its committees or organizational sub entities. This includes, without limitation, conducting research and policy analysis, providing materials in presentation ready format, and presenting materials at public meetings and other committees to ensure clarity and accuracy. 
• Develops conflict of interest and other informational materials, under direction and supervision of General Counsel and/or assigned attorney(s).
• Assists with organizational planning for the OGC.
• Assists with recruitment, staffing, and support on personnel matters, as assigned.
• Conducts outreach and manages external communications, under appropriate supervision of General Counsel or designees.
• Plans and facilitates OGC staff meetings.
• Provides support on matters relating to regulation of the legal profession.
• In collaboration with designated attorney and non-attorney staff within OGC identifies, proposes, supports and implements internal processes pertaining to litigation and the workflow of the department. 
• Prepares annual outside counsel utilization report.
• Identifies opportunities for improving efficiency of OGC operations.
• Manages OGC contracts, including preparing requests for proposals or qualification, organizing proposal review and interview of outside counsel. Handling all related procurement and contracting activities, including tracking and ensuring that Board approvals are timely obtained. 
• Assists in developing OGC knowledge database and resources.
• Assists in developing billing guidelines and managing outside counsel relationships, in collaboration with others within OGC.
• Monitors project budgets and makes recommendations on budget expenditures. Assists with budget planning and tracks expenditures. 
• Performs a number of other similar or related duties which may not be specifically included within this position description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described. 

Employment Standards

Knowledge Of:

• Principles of program evaluation, policy assessment and implementation.
• Principles of problem identification, analysis, and resolution. 
• Principles of data analysis and research tools. 
• Principles of business process reengineering.
• Principles of institutional management.
• Principles of effective written and verbal presentations, including public speaking.
• Principles of public relations/customer service.
• Principles of board and committee administration.
• Principles of organizational behavior and conflict resolution.
• Principles of financial and public policy analysis and research.
• Principles of effective institutional communication in dealing with different constituencies.
• Principles of effective personnel management.
• Principles of government relations.
• Principles of computer information systems, including database, report generation, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. 
• Principles of project planning and implementation. 
• Principles of financial and cost-benefit analysis, and performance auditing. 
• Principles of preparing effective presentations, recommendation and processes. 

Ability To:

• Receive and relay detailed information through excellent verbal and written communication.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in person, by telephone, by computer and in writing.
• Speak publicly to large groups of people.
• Perform in high-paced work environment and adopt effective courses of action.
• Effectively interact with others.
• Effectively address conflict.
• Manage multiple, simultaneous assignments, to independently plan and prioritize day to day work, and to meet deadlines. 
• Lead others to accomplish program and project implementation. 
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality in program administration and interactions with contractors, consultants, experts, and others. 
• Exercise sound judgment and decision making.
• Make recommendations on complicated and difficult program matters and present them effectively to governing authorities.
• Interpret and analyze complex written documents. 
• Effectively present and speak publicly to large groups of people. 
• Act with integrity in all related State Bar business.
• Quickly adapt to changing environments and critical needs, and adopt and effectively implement courses of action. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a field that develops skills related to essential duties, or equivalent academic achievement. 
• Successful completion of a Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school strongly preferred.

Experience: 

• Minimum five (5) years’ progressively responsible experience relevant to the responsibilities of this position a legal department of a public sector organization, law firm or nonprofit environment.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience. 

Applicants meet who the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar’s selection process for this classification.

License, Certificate, Registration Requirements:

• Special Qualifications including specialized knowledge, abilities, education, experience, or license may be established for individual positions.