Assistant County Counsel

Washington County; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 112,983 - 171,035; Full time

Job summary

A regional government office in Oregon seeks an Assistant County Counsel I or II to handle civil litigation and provide legal advice to county departments. The ideal candidate has strong civil litigation experience, including trial and arbitration, and holds a JD from an accredited institution. This position offers growth potential, with ranges from $112,983 to $171,035 annually based on qualifications, promoting a collaborative team environment focused on public service.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in civil litigation for Assistant County Counsel II.
• Three years of legal experience for Assistant County Counsel I.
• Membership in the Oregon State Bar Association within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Pursue and defend legal actions in state and federal courts.
• Prepare legal documents, motions, and appeals.
• Provide legal advice to County departments.
• Represent County in administrative bodies.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Interpersonal skills

Understanding of legal issues

Ability to manage discovery

Trial experience

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (BS or BA)

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

To be considered, apply on Washington County's Career Site.

This position will remain open until filled, with the first review of applications beginning the week of Monday, February 8, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed as needed.

We are recruiting for an Assistant County Counsel I or II to join the Washington County Counsel’s Office as a litigator. The Washington County Counsel's Office represents the County in all civil litigation in state and federal courts, in administrative and enforcement proceedings, and provides advice and analysis to County departments. This position will support the Board of County Commissioners, the Sheriff’s Office and all County departments and employees.

In this litigation role, you will provide a full range of civil litigation representation to the County, from initial investigations through post-judgment appeals. As a member of the County’s litigation team, you may represent any of the County's departments in proceedings before courts, boards, arbitrators, and other administrative agencies, as well as providing sound legal and risk management advice across a spectrum of general legal issues related to public agencies. You will work on routine to complex matters with the expectations to work independently or as part of a team.

• Pursues and defends legal actions in state and federal courts, as well as Oregon Court of Appeals and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Researches and analyzes legal and factual information. Prepares, drafts, and/or revises legal pleadings, motions, appeals. Prepares and presents cases at pretrial hearings, trials, mediations, and arbitrations.
• Researches, studies, and interprets the application of laws, court decisions and other legal authorities and precedents for the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs.
• Attends meetings of County departments to give legal advice and counsel.
• Represents County in state and federal administrative bodies.

Our Ideal Candidate has experience in civil litigation, with an additional interest in employment litigation. This candidate can spot legal issues, manage discovery, conduct and defend depositions, trials, arbitrations, mediations, and negotiate settlements. This candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and support staff. Stellar legal work, a strong work ethic, and team-oriented approach, as well as intellectual curiosity are necessary for success. The ideal candidate has high standards of professional competence and integrity and has experience interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations for government agencies, large corporations or other government-adjacent organizations.

We highly encourage anyone who meets either set of minimum qualifications listed below to apply to fill our current position and any future vacancies! Both classifications are part of the Assistant County Counsel series, meaning we can underfill the Assistant County Counsel II position at the Assistant County Counsel I level. Once an Assistant County Counsel I meets the minimum qualifications of the Assistant County Counsel II, they will be eligible for promotion.

Minimum Qualifications

Assistant County Counsel II (Salary Range: $130,787.28 - $171,035.88 Annually):

• Bachelor's degree (BS or BA) AND Juris doctor (JD) from an accredited college or university; AND
• Five (5) years of experience in all aspects of state or federal civil litigation. Trial, arbitration, and mediation experience
• Ability to spot legal issues; manage discovery; conduct and defend depositions
• Interpret and apply laws in the preparation and drafting of legal documents and legal opinions.

Assistant County Counsel I (Salary Range: $112,983.96 - $147,744.96 Annually):

• Bachelor's degree (BS or BA) AND Juris Doctor (JD) graduate from an accredited college or university; AND
• Three (3) years of professional-level legal experience.

Additional Special Qualifications

• Membership in the Oregon State Bar Association within 30 days of hire.
• Must pass a background investigation.

Classifications are typically written broadly. To review more details of these classifications, please use these links: Assistant County Counsel I & Assistant County Counsel II.