PA Department of Transportation - Assistant Counsel

Governor’s Office of General Counsel

Assistant Counsel (Attorney 1 or 2)
Litigation Division

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Office of Chief Counsel – Harrisburg

Are you an attorney interested in more predictable hours to improve your work/life balance so that you have more family time and/or time to pursue your hobbies? Are you interested in relief from billable hour requirements? And most importantly, do you want to work on litigation and projects that directly impact the Commonwealth, its citizens, businesses, and environment? This position may be your answer and what better way than by joining a team that provides broad legal support for the newest advancements in the transportation industry.

This position is offered as an Attorney 1 or 2 within the Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Office of Chief Counsel (PennDOT-OCC) as overseen by and a part of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of General Counsel (OGC). Salary is commensurate with experience. The workplace is based in the Harrisburg Capitol Complex and allows for a hybrid telework schedule. The successful candidate will be required to work independently, but with supervision of the Chief Counsel.

What You’ll Do

PennDOT Office of Chief Counsel seeks a licensed attorney to serve as Assistant Counsel in the Litigation Division. The Litigation Division handles a variety of legal matters primarily relating to project delivery. Assignments will reflect PennDOT’s current needs and will primarily focus on litigation, transactional, and counseling work in the following areas of law: highway occupancy permits, highway beautification, utility relocations, highway/railroad grade crossing matters, real property interests, and right of way use.

Work may also include personnel litigation, collections litigation, processing third party subpoenas, environmental transactional and litigation work, eminent domain litigation, and other miscellaneous real property matters. Attorneys in this position may litigate before administrative bodies (Public Utility Commission, Commonwealth hearing officers, the Board of Claims, and the Environmental Hearing Board), as well as state and federal trial and appellate courts. With the appropriate supervision and guidance, once a case is assigned to you, you are responsible for all activities associated with the hearing/trial and subsequent appeals, if applicable.

Who We’re Looking For

The successful candidate for this position will have demonstrated:

• Litigation experience that includes trial or hearings, motions practice, and appellate work.
• Solid legal research, analysis, and writing capabilities.
• Experience with drafting, negotiating, and reviewing agreements, ideally with a focus on deeds, easements, and other documentation of real property interests.

The successful candidate will be organized, have excellent oral and written communications skills, including in-person and remote (e.g., phone, video conference) meetings, as well as excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with a diverse group of clients and colleagues, foster trust and respect and to create friendly and collaborative internal working relationships with internal Commonwealth clients are a must.

Required Qualifications

Applicants Must:

• Hold a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school
• Be admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing
• One - two years of professional legal experience

Why Join OGC

At OGC, you are not simply reviewing contracts. You are helping shape the economic engine of the Commonwealth.

• Purpose-Driven Practice
• Support programs that expand opportunity and strengthen communities statewide.
• Professional Growth
• Work alongside experienced government attorneys on complex, high-visibility initiatives.
• Stability with Impact
• Public service with real influence on policy, regulation, and economic development.
• Comprehensive Benefits
• Competitive salary
• Generous paid leave
• Excellent health benefits
• Retirement plans

To learn more about OGC visit: https://www.ogc.pa.gov and select Careers with OGC.

Apply Today

Submit the following in a single, combined PDF or Word document by June 2, 2026:

• Cover letter expressing interest in this specific position
• Resume
• Writing sample (10-page max)

Attn: Derek Riker
Deputy General Counsel
30 N. 3rd Street, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA 17101

OGC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,736.00 - $117,497.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• PA Bar License (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Harrisburg, PA 17120

Salary : $67,736 - $117,497