Senior Assistant County Attorney

Anne Arundel County; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Counsel position in the Anne Arundel County Office of Law focuses on complex litigation and negotiations involving the Department of Social Services. The role provides high-level legal guidance to DSS personnel and oversees attorneys in the Human Services Section, including supervision of staff and coordination of court proceedings.

Candidates should have a law degree from an accredited school, Maryland bar admission, and at least four years of professional legal experience, with a

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school and admission to the Maryland Bar.
• Four or more years of professional legal experience.
• Experience in complex litigation, negotiations, and regulatory matters.
• Preference for government/municipal representation and CINA familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex litigation for DSS and county officials with minimal supervision.
• Supervise attorneys and staff in the Human Services Section.
• Represent the County in termination of parental rights and child welfare cases.
• Provide ongoing legal guidance to department personnel.
• Draft and review pleadings, contracts, and legislative documents.

Skills

Legal analysis

Oral and written communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Maryland Bar Admission

Job description

Senior Counsel to the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services ("DSS") for complex litigation and negotiations involving the Department of Social Services.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

Employees in this class are assigned legal work with the highest level of difficulty within the Office of Law. It is expected that any case or legal issue assigned to the attorney selected for this position will be properly performed with minimum guidance and oversight. A Senior Assistant County Attorney should have extensive and varied experience in complex litigation, negotiations, transactions, and preparing legislation. The work performed by a Senior Assistant County Attorney is distinguished from that performed by the Attorney III position by the complexity of litigation and cases assigned as well as minimum supervision in handling legal issues. Cases assigned are usually high profile in nature and are significant in scope, with decisions made having a major impact on County operations. Work performed is normally reviewed by a Supervising County Attorney or a Deputy County Attorney.

Essential Duties

• Provide guidance to the attorneys in the Human Services Section of the Anne Arundel County Office of Law.
• Provide direction, case review, observation in court, review of motions, pleadings, and memoranda to the two other Human Services Section attorneys; provide supervision to the secretary assigned to the Human Services Section.
• Represents DSS in Termination of Parental Rights cases, including filing petitions, drafting pleadings, propounding and answering discovery, issuing subpoenas, attending pre-trial conferences, preparing witnesses, drafting and litigating motions, hearings, and other trial preparation.
• Represents DSS in Child in Need of Assistance cases, Child Support, and Adult Guardianship cases which involve negotiation of settlements, drafting of pleadings, issuance of subpoenas, witness preparation, and litigation of cases.
• Provide ongoing legal advice to DSS personnel regarding any question that may arise in order to assist social workers and managers in defining the legal parameters of their obligations.
• Respond to subpoenas directed to the DSS; file motions for protective orders when appropriate and appear at hearings on behalf of the DSS to ensure confidentiality in accordance with State and federal law.
• Handle administrative matters regarding the representation of DSS, including ongoing procurement of contracts for the annotated code and private process servers; review MOUs; direct the DSS court liaison on the court docket; advise on responses to Maryland Public Information Act requests; and maintain ongoing statistical data on DSS caseload.

(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of all positions in the class.)

• Represents County officials and employees in complex litigation in federal and State courts and before administrative hearing bodies.
• Performs research and provides written and oral legal advice to department heads and County officials and employees.
• Investigates and makes decisions regarding claims filed against the County by drafting pleadings, discovery documents, motions, trial memoranda, taking depositions, preparing briefs, and planning complex litigation strategy.
• Drafts, reviews and approves for form and legal sufficiency a wide variety of contracts and legal documents.
• Conducts discovery in judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Prepares and responds to interrogatories; prepares and takes depositions and produces documents.
• Attends and provides legal advice at County Council hearings and other meetings.
• Defends County, public officials and employees involved in federal civil rights or State constitutional law litigation.
• Attends court proceedings regarding the defense of pending civil actions.
• Prepares witnesses and clients for court and related proceedings.
• Participates in County collective bargaining negotiations.
• Represents County in grievance proceedings before Personnel Board.
• Recommends for or against financial settlements to Self-Insurance Fund Committee.
• Advises Risk Management on insurance matters and assists in negotiation and settlement of claims.
• Instructs County employees on liability matters. Serves as counsel to one or more County departments; participates in resolving major legal issues; prepares for and conducts major cases in court; and collaborates with special counsel.
• Advises and assists other attorneys in the Office of Law on questions of policy, law and litigation processes, techniques and practices as requested.
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the common law and of federal, State, and County laws, particularly in regard to general administration and regulatory functions of county government.

Thorough knowledge of judicial and administrative rules, and of the rules of evidence.

Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.

Thorough knowledge of the methods and practices of pleading civil cases and of effective trial techniques.

Thorough knowledge of structure, processes and functions of County government and rules of the County Council.

Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents in highly complex cases and to present such materials in clear and logical form for oral or written presentations, as briefs, opinions, orders, or decisions.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to analyze and interpret complex legal documents and instruments.

Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with County officials, judges, court officials, and the public.

Ability to draft complex instruments, legislation, and opinions.

Ability to advise other attorneys in the Office of Law on complex litigation processes, techniques and practice.

Ability to use a personal computer.

Graduation from an accredited school of law; admission to the bar of the State; and four or more years of experience in professional legal work as an attorney.

Note: Admission to the bar of the State of Maryland.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Experience representing county or municipal governments
• Five (5) years of experience with CINA matters
• Supervisory Experience