Civil Attorney

at  Salt Lake County

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

Performs responsible legal work in the District Attorney’s Office under direct guidance or general supervision of more senior attorneys. Applies professional judgment and skill in the preparation and presentation of cases and in providing legal advice and opinions. May provide legal advice to County agencies and personnel as assigned by more senior attorneys. Work is performed in accordance with general policies and is reviewed by the District Attorney, Chief Deputy District Attorney, or a more senior attorney.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

GRADE 18 - Graduation from a recognized college of law with a Juris Doctor (JD). Employment as a full-time paid judicial clerk in a court of record or appellate court may be credited as full-time legal employment.
GRADE 19 - A minimum of three (3) years of full-time paid employment in the practice of law. Employment as a full-time paid judicial clerk in a court of record or appellate court may be credited as full-time legal employment.
GRADE 20 - A minimum of eight (8) years of full-time paid employment in the practice of law. Employment as a full-time paid judicial clerk in a court of record or appellate court may be credited as full-time legal employment.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles of civil law, judicial procedures, rules of evidence and state and local government law
• Public Sector law

SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO:

• Establish and maintain effective working relations with County officials, court officials, other County employees, and the public
• Organize and analyze facts, evidence and precedents, and effectively presents such material orally and in writing
• Train and develop subordinate professional employees in legal research and presentation methods and procedures
• Research effectively and acquire and retain familiarity with sophisticated and rapidly changing principles of law and apply principles to complex factual situations
• Organize, analyze, and retain familiarity with large numbers of complex court cases
• Glean and rapidly assimilate facts; respond to impromptu questions; examine witnesses effectively; argue persuasively, all under hostile and stressful circumstances
• Concentrate and function effectively and usually independently under heavy workload demands in matters of serious consequence or involving the welfare of lives and property
• Review and monitor the work of less senior attorneys
• Handle a wide range of state and local government issues at the highest professional level

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting and court room.

The following duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the work performed by the incumbent(s) in this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific duties and responsibilities will not preclude it from the position.

Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Represents the County in general civil proceedings in all federal and state courts and administrative agencies.
• Prepares ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and memoranda for study and consideration by County officials.
• Drafts, prepares, and reviews legal opinions and advises County officials, department heads, boards, commissions and employees about legal questions. Provides legal representation to the Mayor, the County Council, department heads, and other employees as assigned.
• May be assigned to any legal work in the District Attorney’s Office. May be assigned or assist with specialized or complex assignment areas. May have specific assignment and responsibility for advising a particular department or providing advice in a specialized area of law.
• Performs assigned legal work in the District Attorney’s Office. Practices in specialized and complex areas of law requiring in-depth knowledge of state and local government law. Demonstrates familiarity with applicable federal statutes and regulations as well as thorough knowledge of county ordinances, policies and procedures.
• May independently manage litigation caseload yet is able to work collaboratively with others.
• Reviews and monitors the work of less senior attorneys and other staff members within the District Attorney’s Office.
• Provides direction and counsel to County officials, elected officials, department heads, boards, and commissions regarding program development, policy interpretation or guidance, and risk assessment.
• Performs related duties as assigned.