Working title: General Counsel
Class title: General Counsel V
Posting No.: 0301-26
Opening Date: 03/04/2026
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Location: EOT Bldg., 920 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701
Class Code: 3525
FLSA: Professional-Exempt
Salary Group/Salary: B34, $197,000.04 – $206,175.00/yr.
Division: OGC General Counsel
Number of positions: 1

General Description
The General Counsel performs highly advanced and managerial (senior-level) legal work. Responsible for providing legal advice and counsel on significant agency policy matters to the Executive Director, Commission members, and agency leadership. Interprets laws, regulations, and rules; prepares legal documents; and renders legal advice and counsel. May train staff performing legal work. The General Counsel is responsible for coordinating a variety of management and support activities to ensure prompt and effective actions involving the provision of legal services in a large state agency. The General Counsel will serve as the agency’s Ethics Officer and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Open Meetings Act, the Public Information Act, and regulatory requirements. Work involves establishing division goals and objectives; developing schedules, priorities, and standards for measuring and achieving goals; coordinating and evaluating division activities; and developing and evaluating division budget requests. Plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of division staff. Work is performed under minimal direction, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. This position reports to the Executive Director.

This position is primarily in-office, with limited telecommuting days available based on team and agency needs. Regular onsite attendance is considered an essential function of this position.

Essential Job Functions
• Renders sound legal advice to the Executive Director, Commission members, and agency leadership concerning applicable state and federal laws and regulations and the interpretation and application of agency laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Consults, informs, or advises the Executive Director on appropriate matters or issues and maintains communication with the Executive Director on pertinent legal matters.
• Testifies at hearings, trials, and legislative meetings; provides liaison for other local, state, or federal agencies as required by Executive management; addresses legislative concerns raised by staff and members of the Commission.
• Provides legal support for programs and administrative services of the agency, including, but not limited to, administrative law, rulemaking, program support of regulated industries, contracts, litigation, enforcement, and collection actions.
• Provides legal guidance to the Human Resources Director on employment law matters, and handles EEOC investigations and responses to discrimination claims filed with federal and/or state entities.
• Manages litigation and potential litigation matters, requesting representation, when necessary, through the Office of Attorney General.
• Provides updates on pertinent legal issues affecting the agency.
• Represents the Commission and the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees as required by Executive management.
• Assists in the development and review of laws, rules, and regulations, and policies for the agency and analyzes proposed and/or new legislation to determine the impact on agency or division operations.
• Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities; identifies the need to revise program area(s) when appropriate.
• Advises and acts as liaison to Department management and staff, state agencies, government officials, and other stakeholders regarding legal matters under the Department’s jurisdiction.
• Oversees and directs the preparation and presentation of management and productivity reports relating to division activities and responsibilities.
• Oversees and initiates, develops, and implements policies and procedures relating to division activities and responsibilities and provides legal advice on policy decision making.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of division staff; performs employee performance evaluations on direct reports; and oversees employee performance evaluations on other division staff.
• Reviews bills for legislative consideration and drafts amendments for legislative consideration.
• Serves as the Ethics Advisor for the agency ensuring agency policies comply with state laws, rules and regulations.
• Provides training, counsel, and advice to the Executive Director, the Commission, and staff on ethical inquiries and/or situations.
• Reviews Proposals for Decision (PFDs) from the State Office of Administrative Hearings and drafts final orders for Commission consideration. May review default orders for consideration by the Executive Director.
• Oversees compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Texas Public Information Act, and manages Open Records services in accordance with the statute and best practices.
• Oversees and may direct the collection of administrative penalties including arranging payment agreements and referral of unpaid penalties to the Office of the Attorney General.
• Complies with division and/or agency training requirements.
• Ensures the Office of the General Counsel demonstrates a spirit of teamwork, offering positive and constructive ideas, encouragement, and support to other members of the staff and team, while upholding the Agency’s core values.
• Keeps management appropriately informed of ongoing activity and critical matters affecting the operation and well-being of the Agency.
• Adheres to all Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Personnel Policies and performs related duties as assigned.

Required and Preferred Qualifications
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Texas in good standing with the State Bar of Texas is required.
• Seven (7) years of experience in public and/or private practice of law as an attorney related to the essential job functions is required.
• Considerable experience as a director, manager, or supervisor in a legal setting is required.
• Willingness to work extra hours as required.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as required.
• Experience providing legal advice to executive staff, including executive director, Commission members, board members, and executive team is preferred.
• Experience in administrative law, rulemaking, and program support is preferred.
• Experience in litigation activities is preferred.
• Experience in enforcement activities is preferred.
• Experience with contracts, competitive procurements, and transactional matters is preferred.
• Experience with open government administration is preferred.
• Experience in the lottery or gaming industry is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas; and of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and requirements related to state lottery and charitable bingo activities.
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; and of laws, regulations, and rules relating to the agency.
• Knowledge of administrative, civil, and/or criminal investigative techniques.
• Skills in effective written and verbal communications.
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner at meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and committees.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions affecting the operation of division functions.
• Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan of the agency.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities.
• Ability to be proactive, take initiative and anticipate issues to best position the agency regarding legal matters.
• Ability to effectively plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of others engaged in a variety of tasks.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with Department management, employees, vendors, other government officials, and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department management, employees, vendors, other government officials, and the general public.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to prepare legal documents and conduct legal research.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and apply TDLR laws, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to analyze data, solve work related problems, and present conclusions and/or make recommendations clearly in written and verbal format.
• Ability to work well in stressful situations under strict deadlines.

Physical and Mental Requirements
• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time, work well in stressful situations under strict deadlines, and operate standard office equipment and computer software.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes:
Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a MOS or additional duties or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are encouraged to apply.

Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:
https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

HOW TO APPLY
To apply for a position, you must submit your application, resumé, and TDLR agency required application questions either online through the Texas Workforce Commission’s WORKinTEXAS.com website at https://www.workintexas.com or to TDLR via email at: jobs@tdlr.texas.gov by the closing date stated on the job posting. For applications submitted via email, please list the job posting title and job posting number in the subject line. Applications submitted must be received the posting’s closing date. When a job posting is listed as “Open Until Filled”, it is best to apply as quickly as possible, as the posting may close or be placed on hold at any time with or without prior notification. Applications will NOT be accepted via mail, fax, or hand delivery. Incomplete applications may not be considered. If you desire an acknowledgement of the receipt of your application, you should apply via WorkInTexas and one should be auto generated by TWC. Only applicants interviewed will be notified of their selection or non-selection. All candidates recommended for IT, Lottery, and Bingo positions will be subject to an extensive criminal background investigation, including fingerprinting.

SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION
In accordance with legislation effective September 1, 1999, male candidates aged 18 to 25 are required to show proof of selective service registration (or exemption) prior to an offer of employment. Such proof is not required to be filed with an application but must be provided upon request by the Human Resources office.

E-VERIFY
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

TDLR is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those currently on student or post-graduate visas. All candidates must be approved to work in the United States by E-Verify and must present the needed documentation upon request.

TDLR IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TDLR will provide reasonable accommodation. If you are scheduled for an interview and require reasonable accommodation in the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.