Attorney II

Wright County, Minnesota; Buffalo (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Attorney II to join their Civil Division. This role involves providing legal services for Wright County, representing the County Board, and advising on a variety of civil and criminal matters. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctor degree, experience in litigation, and a solid understanding of Minnesota laws. This position not only offers a chance to make a significant impact within the community but also provides opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. If you are passionate about public service and possess strong analytical and communication skills, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree and three years of experience as a practicing Attorney required.
• Knowledge of Minnesota criminal and civil law is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal services and represents Wright County in civil and criminal matters.
• Researches and interprets legislation, statutes, and laws.

Skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Analytical skills

Knowledge of Minnesota statutes

Courtroom decorum and trial procedures

Interpersonal skills

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Persuasiveness

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Electronic legal research techniques

Standard office equipment

Job description

This Attorney II position is in the Civil Division and will work cases involving Children in need of Protection or Services (CHIPS).

Performs difficult professional work providing legal services to the departments, agents, employees, and officers of the Wright County governmental unit; prosecuting criminal cases; and providing legal representation in civil lawsuits. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Chief of Civil Division and Chief of Criminal Division. Oversight is exercised over Legal Support Staff.

This position is a mid-level classification and is a promotional step that recognizes competency and experience, including litigation preparation in conducting discovery and depositions and in courtroom skills; and is expected to assist with advising and mentoring Attorney I’s and support staff. At this level, the Attorney should exhibit a higher level of negotiating skill and awareness of how their communications impact the perceptions of others and may have developed specialized knowledge of one or more areas of practice. Duties and responsibilities increase accordingly as one advances to a County Attorney II.

The essential duties and responsibilities include both the Civil and Criminal Divisions, and as such, some essential functions listed below may be done more infrequently based on assignment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Provides legal services for and represents Wright County, including the County Board and County departments; attends meetings and provides training and consultation; reviews, negotiates, and drafts contracts and agreements; provides counsel for County departments in developing policies and procedures; works with County officials and employees to develop and draft proposed ordinances; composes legal documents to support positions on appeals; develops, implements, and runs programs and procedures.
2. Researches, analyzes, and interprets new legislation, statutes, laws.
3. Consults, advises, and represents the County in civil matters and lawsuits brought against the County, its agents, officials and employees.
4. Drafts pleadings for criminal prosecutions and prepares and prosecutes felonies, gross misdemeanors and, to the extent prescribed by law, violation of misdemeanors and municipal ordinances and rules.
5. Consults, advises, and represents the County in juvenile delinquency, truancy, “CHIPS” (Children in Need of Protection or Services) and/or termination of parental rights petitions, and in welfare appeal and inebriety/mental illness commitments.
6. Trains, advises, and develops policy for law enforcement officers, corrections workers, social workers, and other persons within the County in areas of investigation, trial techniques, criminal and civil law, strategy, and legal issues pertinent to the area of assignment, including long-term, in-depth research and legal advice regarding policy and specific information regarding time-sensitive situations.
7. Acts as liaison to various boards, committees, and community groups, based on caseload assignments, recommending policy development within the County and State directing communicating and collaborating with public and elected officials and other community leaders, and researching and interpreting law for the purposes of recommending policy development.
8. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Education and Experience

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law, and three years of experience as a practicing Attorney with at least two years as an Assistant County Attorney or equivalent/relevant county/municipal law practice experience.

Special Requirements

1. Successful completion of the Minnesota Bar Exam and license to practice law in the State of Minnesota; License to practice in the State of Minnesota, Minnesota Supreme Court.
2. License to practice in the Federal District Court, Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota (if representing the County in that Court).
3. License to practice in the Federal Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals (if representing the County in that Court).
4. Requires the ability to pass a BCA background check.
5. Up-to-date status for continuing legal education, monitored by Minnesota Office of Continuing Legal Education.
6. A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of all duties and responsibilities of the County Attorney’s Office; knowledge of Minnesota statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to criminal and civil law, child support and paternity matters, and specific statutes, ordinances, regulations, and case law affecting operation of Wright County departments and court system; knowledge of electronic legal research techniques; knowledge of courtroom decorum and trial procedures and tactics; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs; analytical skills sufficient to analyze, interpret, and apply a complex and wide variety of County, State, and Federal statutes, regulations and ordinances; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and understand legal documents; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding sensitive information; ability to be persuasive with judges, juries, other attorneys, and members of the general public; ability to apply legal principles and precedents and prepare and try complex civil or criminal cases; ability to deal effectively with demanding/challenging individuals and individuals in crisis; ability to effectively organize time and anticipate, plan, make decisions and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly;