Under direction, performs, coordinates and/or directs the most difficult, sensitive, and specialized civil legal services for San Joaquin County, its departments, officers, and entities; leads significant legal efforts and provides senior-level legal advice and representation; leads and trains professional and paraprofessional staff; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Senior Deputy County Counsel will be expected to regularly handle the most difficult, sensitive, and specialized legal matters on behalf of the County; Incumbents will lead a group of attorneys and/or serve as an experienced specialist in an area of practice requiring substantial County representation while promoting the professional development of the office. This classification is distinguished from the Deputy County Counsel IV by its elevated scope of responsibility and leadership. While Deputy County Counsel IV performs the most complex legal assignments and provides expert counsel, the Senior Deputy County Counsel routinely oversees the most difficult and sensitive issues, leads legal efforts, and mentors other attorneys. This classification is distinguished from Chief Deputy County Counsel in that the Chief Deputy holds broader supervisory and administrative authority over the County Counsel’s office and assumes full leadership responsibilities as assigned within the office.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Lead a group of professional and paraprofessional staff and personally handle complex legal research and analysis on a wide range of sophisticated issues; interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court decisions to prepare detailed memoranda, briefs, pleadings, and legal opinions supporting strategic County legal interests.
Represent and advise County departments, offices, and officials on complex civil legal matters, including precedent-setting situations and specialized areas such as land use, environmental law, labor relations and employment law, public safety, and administrative law.
Serve as principal legal counsel on significant or sensitive matters, providing authoritative guidance to County executives and elected officials on legal risks, policy implications, and compliance with governance codes and statutes.
Lead, supervise, and provide ongoing mentoring and professional development for assigned staff ensuring consistent quality and alignment with office standards in legal research, negotiation, and legal efforts.
Coordinate and monitor progress and quality of legal work products, including that of outside counsel; provide direction and feedback to maintain high performance and efficiency.
Assist in the coordination of specialized legal activities and workflows; oversee and represent the specialized legal areas in internal and external meetings or negotiations.
Draft, review, and advise on complex legislative proposals, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and legal documents, ensuring consistency with County policies and legal requirements.
Participate in negotiations and resolutions involving the County, representing its interests in complex and high-profile matters.
Ensure continuous adherence to the Code of Professional Responsibilities, and County Administrative Code, modeling professional ethics and standards across all work and client interactions.
May perform limited supervisory and administrative functions in the absence of the Chief Deputy County Counsel.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Current active membership in the California State Bar.
AND EITHER PATTERN I
Experience:Eight years in the practice of law with at least two (2) years as a Deputy County Counsel IV in the San Joaquin County Counsel’s Office.
OR PATTERN II
Experience: Eight (8) years in the practice of law, including at least four (4) years of civil practice, including litigation, handling government-related matters such as the Brown Act, Public Records Act, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), land use, employment law, labor law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act.
KNOWLEDGE
Civil and procedural laws applicable to county government; principles, methods, and practices of legal research and analysis; strategies and techniques for litigation and negotiation involving complex cases; applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and governance codes relevant to county operations; responsibilities, powers, and statutory limitations of the County Counsel's Office; principles of supervision, leadership, and office management; legal document drafting, review, and general legislative proposal evaluation; basic computer skills and use of legal research tools, document preparation, and case management software necessary to support effective legal analysis and office functions.
ABILITY
Independently handle the most complex and demanding legal cases; Demonstrate flexibility in practicing a wide range of legal matters. Organize, analyze and evaluate facts, evidence, and precedents, and present such material orally and in writing in clear and logical form; draft, analyze and evaluate a variety of legal documents and instruments; identify and understand the effects that establishing precedent and offering legal advice has on previous, current, and possible future issues of the larger organization; operate computers and related software; plan, assign, and review work of staff; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with County and court officials, clients, employees, and the general public.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility - Frequent operation of computers; repetitive motion; sitting for extended periods; walking; occasional driving may be required; Lifting - frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Vision - constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity - normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motions; Hearing/Talking - frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person; Emotional/Psychological -frequent decision making, concentration and public contact; occasional exposure to grief; Special Requirements-some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential
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