Deputy Legal Counsel

Salary: $100,000.00 - $160,000.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: GOVELECT_DEPLGCNSL_ESW11.13.26
Department: Office of the Governor
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 200 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Type of Announcement: This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply: Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.
Department Contact Information: [redacted] TO APPLY: Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date.

Department Information

The Governor's staff includes offices for boards and commissions, budgeting, cabinet affairs, communications, intergovernmental affairs, legal counsel, legislative affairs, policy and initiatives, and scheduling.
The Governor's Office of Legal Counsel provides legal advice and analysis to the Governor, the Governor's Office, and the Governor's Cabinet in areas of legal complexity and importance. The attorneys in the office play key roles in legislative bill review and engagement, policy research and development, drafting of executive orders, judicial appointments at all levels of Colorado courts, granting of clemency, media responses, and designing and implementing strategic policies and goals. The office also represents the Governor in discussions with stakeholders and elected officials, advocates for the Governor's agenda and policy objectives, and works with the Office of the Attorney General to manage litigation involving the state, the Governor, and agencies.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple Deputy Legal Counsel positions.
Description of Job
Department: Office of the Governor; Office of Legal Counsel
Position Title: Deputy Legal Counsel
Summary of Functions: The Deputy Legal Counsel advises the Governor, the Governor's Office, and agencies on legal and policy challenges facing the administration, develops creative solutions to complex problems, and works in a fast-paced environment. The Deputy Legal Counsel is part of the Office of Legal Counsel. The office is led by the Chief Legal Counsel and includes a Principal Deputy Legal Counsel, other Deputy Legal Counsel, a paralegal, and an executive assistant.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise the Governor, the Governor's Office, and agencies on legal and policy challenges facing the administration
• Manage a portfolio of agencies and legal subject matter, working collaboratively with the entire team to address and resolve legal issues
• Evaluate complex laws, case law, and legal principles to provide actionable advice, sometimes within hours
• Support legislative bill review and engagement, policy research and development, and the drafting of executive orders
• Support judicial appointments at all levels of Colorado courts and the granting of clemency
• Convey legal opinions and options through written and oral communication, and support media responses
• Represent the Governor in discussions with stakeholders and elected officials, and advocate for the Governor's agenda and policy objectives
• Work with the Office of the Attorney General to manage litigation involving the state, the Governor, and agencies
• Develop creative solutions to complex problems and help design and implement strategic policies and goals
• Work well and cooperatively as a member of the Governor's team, including as a strategic partner to Cabinet executive directors and Governor's staff

Organizational Relationships: Chief Legal Counsel; Principal Deputy Legal Counsel; Office of Legal Counsel; Governor's Office; Cabinet agencies; Office of the Attorney General; Legislative Affairs

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Education/Experience:

• A minimum of five years of experience practicing law as an attorney
• Admission to the Colorado Bar or clear eligibility to waive into the Colorado Bar
• Good standing with the respective state bar at the time of application

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising organizational leaders, and demonstrated ability to advise on complex matters
• Commitment to public service and Colorado
• Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to be both consultative and persuasive
• Curiosity to learn new areas of the law, and experience in critical and creative thinking
• A strong work ethic and the ability to manage several projects, competing priorities, and short timelines at once
• Experience working in government or politics
• Strong people skills, including experience working effectively with a wide range of constituencies in diverse communities

Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date.

A resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.
Benefits

The State of Colorado offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

We believe that diverse teams produce better results and encourage people of a variety of backgrounds and qualifications to apply.
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