County Attorney

Gaston County Government; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 240,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Gaston County Government is seeking a Chief Legal Counsel to serve as attorney for the County Board of Commissioners and all county departments. Appointed to advise the Board and oversee legal services across departments.

The role entails drafting and reviewing ordinances, responding to subpoenas, managing risk, and supervising a legal team. A JD from an ABA-accredited school and NC license are required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Seven years of experience practicing law.
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and assistance to the Board of County Commissioners; attend all meetings of the Board.
• Advise County departments, boards, and officials on legal matters across public health, law enforcement, planning, finance, tax, elections, EMS, library, building inspections, EMS, and administration.
• Draft and review ordinances and resolutions; prepare drafts of bills for the North Carolina General Assembly; advise on proposed legislation.
• Review and respond to subpoenas.
• Review and assist departments with public records requests.
• Prepare and review documents including complaints, answers, petitions, contracts, leases, deeds, easements, notices.
• Attend professional meetings and CLEs.
• Represent the County in in-rem tax foreclosures.
• Prepare and administer the department’s budget; supervise Deputy County Attorney, Assistant County Attorney, and Paralegals.
• Perform legal research and draft memos and correspondence.
• Perform risk management and advise County Manager on risk issues; communicate with financial advisors.
• Advise Finance Director regarding debt issuance by the County.
• Draft and review contracts.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal advisory

Public speaking

Written communication

Policy analysis

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Risk management

Team leadership

Education

Juris Doctorate (ABA-accredited)

Licensed to practice law in North Carolina

Tools

Legal research

Job description

Provide legal support as chief legal counsel and attorney for the County Board of Commissioners and all County departments. Appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners.

$240,000 - $290,000

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Confer with and provide legal advice and assistance to the Board of County Commissioners; attend all meetings of the Board
• Provide legal advice and support to departments, boards, and officials of the County in all areas including public health, law enforcement, planning and zoning, finance, tax, elections, emergency medical services, library, building inspections, emergency management, and administration.
• Draft and review ordinances and resolutions; prepare drafts of bills to the North Carolina General Assembly; advise Board of Commissioners, Manager, and departments on proposed legislation.
• Review and respond to subpoenas.
• Review and assist departments with responding to public records requests.
• Prepare and review documents including complaints, answers, petitions, contracts, leases, deeds, easements, legal notices, and legal notices.
• Attend professional meetings and CLEs.
• Represent the County in in-rem tax foreclosures.
• Prepare and administer the department’s budget; direct and supervise the work of the Deputy County Attorney, the Assistant County Attorney, and the Paralegals.
• Perform legal research and prepare legal memos and correspondence.
• Perform risk management, including meeting with insurance advisors and providers and advising County Manager on risk issues.
• Advises Finance Director regarding issuance of debt by the County and communicate with financial advisors.
• Draft and review contracts.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
• Seven (7) years of experience in the practice of law
• Valid State of North Carolina Driver’s License
• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of legal principles, precedents, and practices, particularly as they apply to the functions of local government
• Knowledge of county government organization, practices, and problems
• Knowledge of County ordinances, policies, and procedures
• Effective public speaker
• Effective communicator, both verbally, and in writing
• Ability to analyze the legal aspects of government problems and provide sound advice
• Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and persuasively
• Ability to deal effectively with employees, elected officials, the courts, and the public
• Ability to direct and review the work of professional and clerical staff
• Ability to use small office equipment, computers, and software applications related to the essential functions of the job
• Ability to maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees, County officials, and the public
• Practice law in a proactive way

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment.

In compliance with G.S.153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.1