Attorney Advisor (14)

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Retirement plan and 401a

Job summary

Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, seeks a senior attorney in the Office of the General Counsel to handle highly complex legal issues in support of MPD and the District government. The role requires drafting and reviewing legal documents, advising on rulemaking, and coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office.

The incumbent will supervise and guide junior attorneys, prepare formal memoranda, and participate in hearings and court proceedings.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of research strategies to handle complex legal issues.
• Ability to interpret statutes, regulations and case law.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior attorney handling complex legal matters for MPD and EOCP/OGC.
• Review and analyze legal documents, prepare opinions and draft final decisions.
• Prepare memoranda and assist in hearings, pleadings, and prosecutions as needed.
• Coordinate with DC Attorney General's Office and other agencies to ensure legal protections.

Skills

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Judicial understanding

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

DC Bar admission/waiver

Job description

This position is being advertised at a Grade 13 and 14. If you are interested in a different grade, you will need to apply to each grade separately. ***

This position is being advertised at a Grade 13 and 14. If you are interested in a different grade, you will need to apply to each grade separately. ***

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, The Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short and long term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and savings options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits

This position is located in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Executive Office of the Chief of Police (EOCP), Office of the General Counsel (OGC).

The purpose of the position is to work on cases or legal issues of extremely complex and difficult legal or factual issues requiring a high order of legal endeavor with the incumbent often having to balance conflicting interests; or matters that can have the effect of substantially broadening or restricting the activities of MPD.

The Incumbent Will Be Responsible For The Following

• Serves as a senior attorney in the Office of the General Counsel handling the more complex and difficult legal matters. Reviews various legal documents and relevant case laws to determine whether execution or non‑execution of proposed actions is in the best interest of the Department and the District of Columbia government. Provides statement of reasons and drafts language necessary to obviate objections.
• Examines and analyses proposed orders, legislation and other legal documents from various sources for legal sufficiency, both as to the form and substance of rulemaking decisions. Performs the aforementioned research and provides oral or written opinions resulting from such analysis.
• Reviews records of hearings, including briefs filed, exceptions taken, rulings made, tentative decisions, as well as reports of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Analyzes same and provides recommendations to supervisor as appropriate.
• Prepares memoranda on legal questions and proposals, and drafts tentative documents of final decision for consideration by concerned administrative agencies. Consults frequently with officials of various administrative agencies providing advice as to the extent of their legal duties and power.
• Prepares and/or reviews complaints, citations and other documents related to pleadings, as the basis for hearings or other actions. Serves as prosecutor, presenting evidence to support cases and handles administrative appeals.
• Assists members of the service in interpreting and enforcing Federal, State and local laws.
• Reviews all Departmental policies, practices, procedures, and forms for legal sufficiency and conformance to the law.
• Confers with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia on a case‑specific basis to ensure that victims of crime, witnesses, and members of the service have maximum legal protections prior to submission of all discoverable material.
• Timely processes, reviews, and responds to subpoenas, court orders, and motions for records served upon the Department. Advises members of the service regarding all subpoena‑related questions and prepares response papers and appears in Federal and District courts.
• Confers with and incorporates concerns of District Government officials, members of administrative bodies, and officials outside the District Government regarding all actions taken during reviews, as well as the conclusions from proceedings on other matters handled.
• Attends and participates in hearings before committees of the Council of the District of Columbia and the Congress pertaining to proposed laws and/or legislation which may affect existing laws related to the functions of the Department.
• Assists other components of the Agency in court litigation resulting from matters handled by the Office.
• Performs all functions related to case and calendar management; e.g., preparation of case transfer or close‑out reports; case file entry updating; documentation of action taken; timely review of legal proceedings; and any other administrative functions associated with conclusion of assigned matters.
• Keeps abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the functions of the Office. Recommends appropriate course of action to supervisor, as deemed necessary.
• Provides technical guidance and assistance to junior attorneys of the Office in areas of special expertise.
• Compiles monthly statistical and status reports of assigned matters.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of research strategies and techniques sufficient to research the most complex legal issues. The issues researched are almost always factually complex and are in areas of the law which are often in a continual state of evolution, thus requiring atypical and innovative research strategies. Knowledge at the expert level of the controlling statutes, regulations, and case law pertaining to the subject matter of the particular issue sufficient to develop legal opinions whether through the litigation process or administratively, which may alter the state of the law in the particular area or expand the charter of the agency.
• In‑depth knowledge of several titles of law, agency policies, regulations and procedures; Federal and District laws related to functions of the Department; as well as precedent agency and judicial decisions.
• Skill in interpreting and applying legal knowledge in various situations.
• Highly developed skills in the analysis and resolution of difficult legal issues in an orderly, systematic, and effective manner.
• Skill in interpreting and applying applicable laws, regulations and practices, including agency policies and relevant judicial decisions.
• Skill in applying sound judgment in review and analysis of matters assigned and deriving logical conclusions.
• Skill in communicating precisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements

Applicants must be active members in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. If eligible for waiver, incumbent must submit an application for admission prior to commencing employment and successfully obtain admission to theD.C. Bar within 360 days of commencing employment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.

Education

Applicants must possess a professional law degree (J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment.

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least three (3) years of professional legal experience following law school graduation. Examples of specialized experience for this position include: experience negotiating legal issues with officials, attorneys, representatives of government agencies, and/or with representatives of private interest groups; and experience providing representation on matters for litigation and giving legal counsel to departmental officials.

Experience providing legal advice on matters related to law enforcement is preferred.

Work Environment

The work is performed in an office environment.

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union)

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit.

Other Significant Factors

This position operates within the confines of a 24/7 operation. Incumbent of this position is required to provide after‑hours on call technical support including weekends and holidays. Incumbent may also be subjected to rotating shifts, weekend work and changes in days off.

A background investigation, to include a criminal, traffic and credit check are required for positions with the Metropolitan Police Department.

The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit.

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.