CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
JOB TITLE: Chief Disciplinary Counsel
POSITION LOCATION: Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Helena
SALARY LEVEL: $107,120 yearly
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis
POSITION DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Chief Disciplinary Counsel heads the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) and is a liaison between the Montana Supreme Court and the State Bar of Montana. The ODC is responsible for the intake, review, and investigation of grievances and other information concerning alleged lawyer misconduct that is within the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Montana Supreme Court. ODC also prosecutes lawyers for alleged violations of the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct before the Commission on Practice and the Montana Supreme Court.
The Chief Disciplinary Counsel is appointed by the Montana Supreme Court, but it is not a State of Montana position and ODC is not a state agency. ODC is funded by an annual assessment on lawyers practicing in Montana. The Chief Disciplinary Counsel and ODC personnel are attached to the State Bar of Montana for administrative purposes only. The State Bar provides certain administrative services to ODC, and the State Bar’s Board of Trustees reviews ODC’s annual budget.
The Chief Disciplinary Counsel reports to the Montana Supreme Court, but exercises independent prosecutorial discretion. The Chief Disciplinary Counsel supervises one lawyer and five professionals.
GENERAL DUTIES: The powers and duties of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel are set forth in Rules 5 and 10 of the Montana Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school
- Admission or intent to be admitted to the State Bar of Montana; and,
- Full-time work experience as a lawyer for at least ten (10) years.
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
The nature of this job may require long work hours and travel throughout the state.
BENEFITS:
The successful applicant will report to the Supreme Court but will be an employee of the State Bar. The State Bar offers a comprehensive employment package including health insurance and leave benefits.
Application Procedure:
Please forward cover letter, resumé, the names of three professional references, and a legal writing sample to:
Montana Supreme Court
Office of the Court Administrator
PO Box 203005
Helena, MT 59620-3005
Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Reasonable accommodations: Under state and federal law qualified applicants with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Modifications or adjustments to may be provided to assist applicants in the recruitment and selection process, to perform the essential functions of the jobs or to enjoy equal privileges and benefits of employment available to other employees. An applicant must request an accommodation when needed. If you need any such accommodation contact the Human Resources Office at (406) 841-2982. TDD uses may use the Relay Service by calling 1-800-253-4091