Assistant County Attorney

Forsyth County (NC); Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County (NC) seeks an Assistant County Attorney to provide legal counsel and representation to multiple county departments, including DSS, HHS, and others. The role emphasizes litigation, research, drafting, contract review, and advising on departmental matters.

Qualified candidates will have a law degree, NC license, and at least two years of public-law experience. The position offers professional independence, growth, and collaboration within a supportive County Attorney's Office.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• At least two years of legal experience, preferably in public law.
• License to practice law in North Carolina; higher education may substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and representation to multiple county departments.
• Litigation, legal research, analysis, and document drafting.
• Review and negotiate contracts; advise on departmental matters.
• Represent DSS in Child Welfare, Child Support, and related matters as needed.
• Develop and implement legal processes to support county operations.

Skills

Legal research

Draft pleadings

Court appearances

Oral and written arguments

Administrative law

Constitutional law

Judicial procedures

County government law

Public communication

Independence in work

Lift up to 10 pounds

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

The Forsyth County Attorney's Office is seeking an Assistant County Attorney to provide legal counsel and representation to multiple Forsyth County departments, including Behavioral Health, Board of Elections, Bridges to Hope, Communications, Department of Social Services (DSS), Health and Human Services (HHS), Human Resources, Management Information Services (MIS), and Public Health. Legal responsibilities include litigation, legal research and analysis, training, document drafting, contract review and negotiation, and providing general legal advice and counsel on departmental matters.

Applicants must have experience representing local government entities or, alternatively, significant experience litigating civil matters and knowledge of the laws, practices, and operations applicable to local government in North Carolina. As needed, the Assistant County Attorney may also represent DSS in Adult Protective Services matters and provide legal counsel to other County departments.

This position provides an opportunity for professional independence, continued growth, and exposure to a broad range of local government legal matters. The County Attorney's Office has established processes, resources, and legal documents designed to support a new attorney in quickly becoming familiar with the work while developing new skills and expertise. We also value the knowledge and perspective each attorney brings to the Office.

An employee in this class is responsible for representing the Department of Social Services in Child Welfare and Child Support matters. Juvenile matters involving abuse, neglect and dependency cases, up through and including termination of parental rights. The employee is also responsible for representing the Department of Social Services in Child Support Enforcement matters including establishing paternity, establishing child support, establishing medical support, modifying and terminating child support, and enforcing existing child support orders via civil contempt actions. The employee must be familiar with the NC laws that affect Child Welfare and Child Support. The work requires the making of decisions based on knowledge of law.

Employees in this class must:

• Perform legal research, draft pleadings, and organize caseload.
• Make regular court appearances and legal arguments in trial courts at the state level.
• Express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Perform legal duties as assigned and requested by the county attorney.
• Possess considerable knowledge of general case, statutory and common law affecting county operations.
• Possess considerable knowledge of the principles of administrative and constitutional law.
• Possess considerable knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Understand the organizational structure of County government.
• Deal effectively with the courts, and the general public
• Draft pleadings, court orders, and appellate briefs.
• Interpret laws, analyze legal situations and to make recommendations that will resolve legal problems.
• Maintain and foster effective work relationships with other employees.
• Be able to lift up to 10 pounds and sit most of the time.

Graduation from an accredited school of law and at least two years of experience in the practice of law, preferably in public law. Possession of a license to practice law in the State of North Carolina. A higher education level may be considered as a substitution for all or part of the experience requirement.

Valid NC Driver's License required.

The Forsyth County Attorney's Office is a dynamic and collaborative legal office recognized for its work in shaping and analyzing local government law. The Office works closely with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and the National Association of Counties on issues affecting local government.

We are seeking an attorney with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a passion for collaborating with non-lawyers, and a willingness to learn and take on new challenges. Our attorneys work collaboratively and have an open-door environment in which they regularly consult with and learn from one another, including the County Attorney. We value teamwork, professional development, and the exchange of ideas while also providing attorneys with the independence to manage their assigned responsibilities.