Principal Deputy County Counsel-General Litigation-26394509GL

County of San Diego; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote/Hybrid work options

Veteran-friendly hiring

Job summary

The County of San Diego's Office of County Counsel has an immediate opening for PRINCIPAL DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL - GENERAL LITIGATION, a senior role defending the County and its employees in high-stakes state and federal matters.

The ideal candidate will have California bar admission, substantial civil litigation experience, strong research and writing skills, and the ability to lead a legal team in a fast-paced government environment while working in a flexible hybrid schedule that may include

Qualifications

• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Two (2) years of experience as a Senior Deputy County Counsel Attorney in the County of San Diego or equivalent.
• OR five (5) years of post-bar civil legal experience in public/private sector.

Responsibilities

• Defend the County and its employees in complex state and federal litigation.
• Independently handle high-impact civil matters and advise on litigation strategy.
• Lead and collaborate with attorneys and support staff in a government setting.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Legal research

Legal writing

Courtroom presence

State & federal court experience

Education

Bar admission in California

Job description

The County of San Diego's Office of County Counsel has an immediate opening for PRINCIPAL DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL - GENERAL LITIGATION in a rewarding and productive position performing legal work for local government.

The County Counsel’s Office generally supports remote teleworking and a teleworking schedule with a mix of in-office and remote work may be available in this position.

The Office of County Counsel is a full-service law office, tasked with handling the County's civil law needs, including proactive participation in all phases of government decision making and a very active and successful trial litigation program. The Principal Deputy County Counsel will independently defend the County and its employees in state and federal litigation that has an elevated level of difficulty and complexity, and handle other matters that have significant impact upon the County and its officers, boards and districts.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate would be an analytical thinker, able to accurately articulate the critical issues in a case. Additionally, the ideal candidate would have experience in both state and federal court, excellent legal research and writing skills, courtroom presence, and the ability to work in a supportive and professional team environment with other attorneys and support staff.

Hiring Timeline and Date

• Job offers and background process begins shortly after interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date. If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California, AND,

• Two (2) years of experience as a Senior Deputy County Counsel Attorney in the County of San Diego, or at an equivalent level with another California county or city, handling above average difficult and complex cases or assignments;
• OR, Five (5) years of professional post-bar civil legal experience as an attorney, which must have included handling civil law matters and/or cases in a public or private sector law office.

Also Required

Positions may involve necessary and timely transportation for field travel, requiring the ability to arrange transportation to different worksites, meetings, or field work. Must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Misdemeanor and/or felony convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency. Prior to appointment, candidates will be subject to a background investigation.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Conditions of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation

Qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental application questionnaire. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate, as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Veteran’s Preference Policy Military Skills Translator Strategic Plan

Disaster Service Worker

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term \"public employees\" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

Diversity & Inclusion

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.