Assistant Counsel Jobs in Tennessee
Assistant Counsel jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, with demand concentrated in corporate legal departments, state government agencies, healthcare systems, and financial services firms across a wide range from entry-level associates through senior counsel positions. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville lead hiring volume, with major employers such as HCA Healthcare, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Tennessee Attorney General's Office maintaining steady assistant counsel pipelines. The most in-demand specialties in Tennessee include regulatory compliance, healthcare law, and government litigation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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See related jobsExecutive Service
ASSISTANT COUNSEL
Tennessee Department of Education
Office of General Counsel
Nashville, TN
The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $67,000-$82,000
Closing Date: 09/21/2026
This job is in office, with flexibility to work remotely as business needs support
For more information, visit the link below:
https://wwwtngov/education/career-opportunitieshtml
How you make a difference in this role:
The Assistant Counsel for Operations position is a member of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and provides legal support and counsel to the Commissioner of Education, Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) personnel, and the State Special Schools. The Assistant Counsel provides proactive and strategic legal guidance to help ensure that TDOE activities comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as well as Department of Human Resources (DOHR) policies.
Job Overview:
This position supports operational program areas, including coordinated school health and school nutrition. The Assistant Counsel is expected to advise on day-to-day operations, policy and regulatory interpretation, and contracting and procurement matters related to these program areas. In addition, this position provides legal counsel regarding public records requests and legislative analysis for assigned program areas. The Assistant Counsel may also be called upon to present at conferences, conventions, and workshops across the state for local education agencies (LEAs) and state education and child-focused organizations on matters related to education law, as requested by the General Counsel.
Key Responsibilities:
Coordinated School Health: Provide day-to-day legal advice on student safety and emergency operations, pupil transportation, school mental health services, and school nursing/health services; review policies and guidance; advise on privacy and data-sharing issues (e.g., student records and health information considerations) and accessibility/ADA issues related to services and transportation.
School Nutrition: Advise on federal and state regulatory requirements, monitoring and compliance activities, waivers, and related contracting/procurement for child nutrition programs; review program communications and guidance for legal sufficiency.
Contracts, Procurements, and Grants: Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, MOUs, amendments, SOWs, and grant documents supporting the Department's workstreams; ensure alignment with applicable state and federal procurement rules and policies.
Policy, Rulemaking, and Guidance: Interpret statutes and rules; draft and review internal/external guidance, board items, and operational policies for assigned program areas to ensure legal clarity and ability implement.
General Legal Support: The staff attorney will provide legal support and consultation to the OGC and other relevant departments within the TDOE. This includes assisting with legal research, drafting legal documents, and providing legal advice on a wide range of issues.
Trainings: Deliver trainings for TDOE staff, LEAs, and stakeholders on topics such as school safety/transportation legal basics, student health services, school nutrition compliance, public records, and procurement ethics/processes.
External Communication: The staff attorney will assist in communicating TDOE's position on matters of education law to parents, school officials, and other stakeholders and assist the TDOE communications team by providing legal support related to the Tennessee Open Records statute.
Legislative Support: The staff attorney will assist TDOE and the OGC in conducting legislative analysis of education related bills introduced by the General Assembly.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, Juris Doctorate, and license to practice law in Tennessee.
One (1) year of experience in legal practice is preferred.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
Executive Service
ASSISTANT COUNSEL
Tennessee Department of Education
Office of General Counsel
Nashville, TN
The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $67,000-$82,000
Closing Date: 09/21/2026
This job is in office, with flexibility to work remotely as business needs support
For more information, visit the link below:
https://wwwtngov/education/career-opportunitieshtml
How you make a difference in this role:
The Assistant Counsel for Operations position is a member of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and provides legal support and counsel to the Commissioner of Education, Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) personnel, and the State Special Schools. The Assistant Counsel provides proactive and strategic legal guidance to help ensure that TDOE activities comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as well as Department of Human Resources (DOHR) policies.
Job Overview:
This position supports operational program areas, including coordinated school health and school nutrition. The Assistant Counsel is expected to advise on day-to-day operations, policy and regulatory interpretation, and contracting and procurement matters related to these program areas. In addition, this position provides legal counsel regarding public records requests and legislative analysis for assigned program areas. The Assistant Counsel may also be called upon to present at conferences, conventions, and workshops across the state for local education agencies (LEAs) and state education and child-focused organizations on matters related to education law, as requested by the General Counsel.
Key Responsibilities:
Coordinated School Health: Provide day-to-day legal advice on student safety and emergency operations, pupil transportation, school mental health services, and school nursing/health services; review policies and guidance; advise on privacy and data-sharing issues (e.g., student records and health information considerations) and accessibility/ADA issues related to services and transportation.
School Nutrition: Advise on federal and state regulatory requirements, monitoring and compliance activities, waivers, and related contracting/procurement for child nutrition programs; review program communications and guidance for legal sufficiency.
Contracts, Procurements, and Grants: Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, MOUs, amendments, SOWs, and grant documents supporting the Department's workstreams; ensure alignment with applicable state and federal procurement rules and policies.
Policy, Rulemaking, and Guidance: Interpret statutes and rules; draft and review internal/external guidance, board items, and operational policies for assigned program areas to ensure legal clarity and ability implement.
General Legal Support: The staff attorney will provide legal support and consultation to the OGC and other relevant departments within the TDOE. This includes assisting with legal research, drafting legal documents, and providing legal advice on a wide range of issues.
Trainings: Deliver trainings for TDOE staff, LEAs, and stakeholders on topics such as school safety/transportation legal basics, student health services, school nutrition compliance, public records, and procurement ethics/processes.
External Communication: The staff attorney will assist in communicating TDOE's position on matters of education law to parents, school officials, and other stakeholders and assist the TDOE communications team by providing legal support related to the Tennessee Open Records statute.
Legislative Support: The staff attorney will assist TDOE and the OGC in conducting legislative analysis of education related bills introduced by the General Assembly.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, Juris Doctorate, and license to practice law in Tennessee.
One (1) year of experience in legal practice is preferred.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
See All 5 Assistant Counsel Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Assistant Counsel JobsAssistant Counsel Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Counsel Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant counsel jobs across Tennessee.
- Active law license in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Experience drafting contracts, legal memoranda, and regulatory filings
- Familiarity with Tennessee state statutes, court rules, and administrative procedures
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills for litigation or advisory work
- Ability to manage multiple matters and collaborate with business or agency clients
Assistant Counsel Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a assistant counsel in Tennessee?
You become an assistant counsel in Tennessee by earning a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school and passing the Tennessee bar examination administered by the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. After passing, you register with the Tennessee Supreme Court to receive an active law license. Most employers also require admission to the Tennessee bar before your start date, though some offer a conditional offer while awaiting results.
How much do assistant counsels make in Tennessee?
Assistant counsels in Tennessee earn a median of about $136,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $76,510 for the lowest 10% to over $324,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire assistant counsels in Tennessee?
Employers hiring assistant counsels in Tennessee right now include Tennessee State Government, Delek US, and Monogram Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's concentration of large healthcare systems, energy utilities, and state government agencies means assistant counsel roles appear across a broad range of industries and mission types.
Which Tennessee cities have the most assistant counsel jobs?
Brentwood, Nashville, and Knoxville account for the most assistant counsel openings in Tennessee. Nashville dominates due to its dense cluster of healthcare corporations, financial firms, and state government offices, while Memphis draws demand from logistics companies and regional medical centers, and Knoxville reflects hiring tied to the Tennessee Valley Authority and the University of Tennessee system.
Are there remote assistant counsel jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and they are more common than in many legal roles. About 0% of assistant counsel openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that much of the work involves research, drafting, and internal advising that does not require a physical presence. Contract review, compliance advisory, and regulatory writing positions are the most likely to offer flexible arrangements.
How can I get hired as a assistant counsel in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a legal fellowship, law clerk position, or government honors program with a Tennessee state agency such as the Tennessee Attorney General's Office or the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Large healthcare employers like HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center hire new law graduates into junior counsel or legal operations roles. A Tennessee bar license, a strong writing sample, and any internship with a Tennessee court or agency gives candidates a concrete edge over applicants without in-state exposure.
Where can I find and apply to assistant counsel jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to assistant counsel jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 5 Assistant Counsel Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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