Under direction, provides civil legal services to assigned departments, commissions, school districts, special districts or agencies; performs related duties as required.
Deputy County Counsel II:
Provides a full range of legal services to assigned departments, commissions, school districts, special districts or other public agencies; represents the County in proceedings before courts, boards, arbitrators, and other administrative agencies; provides legal advice to County departments, staff, boards and commissions.
Deputy County Counsel III:
Performs difficult or complex legal work in the office of the County Counsel; prepares and presents complex or sensitive cases in court and before administrative bodies; provides civil legal services to assigned departments, commissions, school districts, special districts or other public agencies.
Deputy County Counsel IV:
Under general direction to conduct the most complex and sensitive civil cases in the office of County Counsel; provides civil legal services to assigned departments, commissions, school districts, special districts or other public agencies; performs related duties as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Deputy County Counsel I:
This is the entry level classification for the Deputy County Counsel series. Incumbents are responsible for learning office procedures and policies, and handling routine civil litigation matters which do not require prior experience. Incumbents work with progressively less supervision as knowledge and experience are gained. This class is distinguished from Deputy County Counsel II in that the latter is more experienced.
Deputy County Counsel II:
This is the fully qualified professional level in the Deputy County Counsel series. Positions in this class are expected to exercise judgment and initiative. Incumbents are responsible for handling civil legal matters with consultative supervision. Employees are expected to become fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the office. This class is distinguished from that of Deputy County Counsel III in that the latter is responsible for more difficult or complex legal work.
Deputy County Counsel III:
This is an experienced professional level in the Deputy County Counsel series responsible for handling a full range of civil legal matters involving advising County departments and officials and preparing and presenting difficult or unusual civil litigation in court and before administrative bodies. This class is distinguished from Deputy County Counsel IV in that the latter is responsible for more complex and specialized legal activity.
Deputy County Counsel IV:
This is an experienced professional level Attorney in the Deputy County Counsel series responsible for the most complex and specialized legal activity in their assigned area. This class is distinguished from Deputy County Counsel V in that the latter is responsible for leading and directing attorneys within a division.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Deputy County Counsel II:
Works under general direction from the County Counsel.
May provides technical and functional supervision to clerical and technical level staff.
Deputy County Counsel III:
Works under general direction from the County Counsel.
May provide legal mentoring to less experienced attorneys and technical and functional supervision to clerical and technical level staff.
Essential Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Deputy County Counsel I:
Assists experienced attorneys in providing legal advice and opinions to department heads, special districts, school districts, Solano Community College, Grand Jury, Board of Supervisors and commissions.
Prepares and represents school districts and other districts in complicated administrative board and quasi-judicial proceedings; assists in the analysis and drafting of legislative measures, ordinances and other regulations.
Provides advice, opinions and consultive assistance to management representatives of client departments and agencies on civil legal matters; provides information regarding services and procedures of the Office of County Counsel.
Assists in coordinating and negotiating with representatives of various agencies, businesses, districts, commissions, departments and municipalities regarding civil litigation.
Prepares and writes leases, deeds, liens on real property, release of liens, sales agreements, ordinances, resolutions, legislation, motions, writs, trial briefs, pleadings, correspondence and similar documents.
Prepares for trials, hearings and meetings; researches a variety of civil law and procedures for presentation, usually in concert with a more experienced attorney.
Maintains currency with civil laws and procedures.
Deputy County Counsel II:
Conducts legal work and addresses sensitive legal issues relating to civil cases brought before the County; assembles and evaluates evidence and secures and interviews witnesses; independently presents important cases before courts, boards, commissions and other bodies.
Prepares and represents special districts and school districts in complicated administrative board and quasi-judicial proceedings; assists in the analysis and drafting of legislative measures, ordinances and other regulations; provides general legal advice to districts.
Provides advice, opinions, training and consultative assistance to management representatives of client departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies on various legal matters; provides information regarding services and procedures of the Office of County Counsel.
Coordinates and negotiates with representatives of various agencies, businesses, districts, commissions, departments and municipalities regarding civil litigation and various other legal matters.
Researches, prepares and writes leases, deeds, liens on real property, release of liens, sales agreements, ordinances, resolutions, legislation, motions, writs, trial briefs, pleadings, correspondence, contracts, opinions, board agenda items and similar documents.
Prepares for trials, hearings and meetings; researches civil, constitutional, administrative, and applicable criminal law and procedures for presentation on all subjects which may affect assigned departments or agencies; represents clients in administrative hearings, trials and appeals in proceedings which may involve sophisticated issues of law and fact; maintains currency with civil and criminal laws and procedures.
Deputy County Counsel III:
Conducts legal work of average difficulty and addresses sensitive legal issues relating to civil cases brought before the County; assembles and evaluates evidence and secures and interviews witnesses; independently presents difficult, complex and important cases before courts, boards, commissions and other bodies.
repares and represents special districts and school districts in complicated administrative board and quasi-judicial proceedings; assists in the analysis and drafting of legislative measures, ordinances and other regulations.
Provides advice, opinions and consultative assistance to management representatives of client departments and agencies on civil legal matters; provides information regarding services and procedures of the Office of County Counsel; evaluates merits and consequences of legal issues and claims.
Coordinates and negotiates with representatives and attorneys of various agencies, businesses, districts, individuals, commissions, departments and municipalities regarding civil litigation.
Prepares and writes leases, deeds, liens on real property, release of liens, sales agreements, ordinances, resolutions, legislation, motions, writs, trial briefs, pleadings, petitions, correspondence and similar documents.
Prepares for trials, hearings and meetings; researches civil, constitutional, administrative and applicable criminal law and procedures for presentation on all subjects which may affect assigned departments or agencies; represents clients in administrative hearings, trials and appeals in proceedings which may involve sophisticated issues of law and fact; remains current with civil, constitutional, administrative, and applicable criminal laws and procedures.
Deputy County Counsel IV:
Conducts complex legal work and addresses sensitive legal issues relating to civil cases brought before the County; assembles and evaluates evidence and secures and interviews witnesses; independently presents difficult, complex and important cases before courts, boards, commissions and other bodies.
Prepares and represents school districts and other districts in complicated administrative board and quasi-judicial proceedings; assists in the analysis and drafting of legislative measures, ordinances and other regulations.
Provides advice, opinions and consultive assistance to management representatives of client departments and agencies on civil legal matters; provides information regarding services and procedures of the office of County Counsel.
Coordinates and negotiates with representatives of various agencies, businesses, districts, commissions, departments and municipalities regarding civil litigation.
Prepares and writes leases, deeds, liens on real property, release of liens, sales agreements, ordinances, resolutions, legislation, motions, writs, trial briefs, pleadings, correspondence and similar documents.
Prepares for trials, hearings and meetings; researches a variety of civil law and procedures for presentation on all subjects which may affect assigned departments or agencies; represents clients in administrative hearings, trials and appeals in proceedings which may involve sophisticated issues of law and fact; maintains currency with civil laws and procedures.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Deputy County Counsel I:
Some knowledge of civil laws, principles and procedures; and jurisdiction of local, state and federal courts; department goals and operations; the functions and missions of assigned clients and public speaking techniques.
Ability to research law; analyze facts; develop strategies; draft legal documents; conduct thorough investigations; speak and write clearly and concisely; make effective written and verbal legal arguments and presentations; learn to work effectively with the media, general public, court personnel, representatives from other agencies; work effectively with others who have objectives counter to assigned role; communicate effectively both verbally and writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; conduct detailed legal research; understand, interpret and learn County laws, regulations and policies; make decisions and independent judgments; project consequences of decisions; collect data to draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; research case law, regulations, procedures and/or technical reference materials; prepare a wide variety of legal documents; learn to prepare and present cases in court and at hearings; present statements of law clearly and logically in both written and verbal form; demonstrate tact, patience and diplomacy.
Deputy County Counsel II:
Knowledge of:
Civil, constitutional and administrative law and procedure, particularly as it relates to county government, and other public agency law.
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence of state and federal courts.
Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research.
Department goals and operations.
The functions and missions of assigned clients.
Public speaking techniques.
Skills to:
Use basic office equipment including personal computers.
Ability to:
Research case law, regulations, procedures and/or technical reference materials; understand, interpret and explain federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies; collect data to draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
Communicate effectively both verbally and writing; speak and write clearly and concisely; make effective written and verbal legal arguments and presentations; prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; work effectively with elected and appointed officials, County staff, court personnel, other agency representatives, the public and the media; work effectively with others who have objectives counter to assigned role.
Provide a high degree of customer service to departments.
Project consequences of decisions; provide sound legal advice to clients; prepare and present cases in court and at hearings; present statements of law clearly and logically in both written and verbal form; demonstrate tact, patience and diplomacy.
Deputy County Counsel III:
Knowledge of:
Principles of civil, constitutional, and administrative law and procedure, particularly as it relates to county government, and other public agency law.
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence of state and federal courts.
The principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.
Department goals and operations.
The functions and missions of assigned clients.
Public speaking techniques.
Skills to:
Use basic office equipment including personal computers.
Ability to:
Research case law, regulations, procedures and/or technical reference materials; understand, interpret and explain laws, regulations and policies; collect data to draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
Speak and write clearly and concisely; make effective written and verbal legal arguments and presentations; prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; work effectively with the elected and appointed officials, County staff, court personnel, other agency representatives, the public, and the media; work effectively with others who have objectives counter to assigned role.
Communicate effectively both verbally and writing.
Project consequences of decisions; prepare and present cases in court and at hearings; present statements of law clearly and logically in both written and verbal form; demonstrate tact, patience and diplomacy.
Deputy County Counsel IV:
Thorough knowledge of civil laws, principles and procedures; procedures and jurisdiction of local, state and federal courts; department goals and operations; the functions and missions of assigned clients and public speaking techniques.
Ability to research law; analyze facts; develop strategies; draft legal documents; conduct thorough investigations; speak and write clearly and concisely; make effective written and verbal legal arguments and presentations; work effectively with the media, general public, court personnel, representatives from other agencies; work effectively with others who have objectives counter to assigned role; communicate effectively both verbally and writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; conduct detailed legal research; understand, interpret and explain County laws, regulations and policies; make decisions and independent judgments; project consequences of decisions; collect date to draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; research case law, regulations, procedures and/or technical reference materials; prepare a wide variety of legal documents; prepare and present cases in court and at hearings; present statements of law clearly and logically in both written and verbal form; demonstrate tact, patience and diplomacy.
Education and Experience
Deputy County Counsel I:
No experience required; however, applicants must demonstrate possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities.
Deputy County Counsel II:
Experience: A minimum of six months of experience as a Deputy County Counsel I or its equivalent. One year of experience in the general practice of law may be substituted for the 6 months of CountyCounsel experience. Education/Training: A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school or other equivalent legal education approved by the California State Bar.
Deputy County Counsel III: Experience: A minimum of one year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel II or its equivalent. Four years of experience in the general practice of law may be substituted for two years of County Counsel experience. Education/Training: A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school or other equivalent legal education approved by the California State Bar.
Deputy County Counsel IV: Education and/or Experience: A minimum of one year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel III or its equivalent which demonstrates possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities. Five years of experience in the general practice of law may be substituted for the three years of County Counsel experience.
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQ
Active membership in the California State Bar Association is required.
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C California driver’s license may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Incumbents of the Deputy County Counsel I class should demonstrate necessary knowledge and abilities to be promoted to the Deputy County Counsel II within 24 months of appointment.
Independent travel may be required.
Positions allocated to this class are exempt from the provision of the County’s Civil Service ordinances. Incumbents are hired and retained at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
Incumbents may be required to work outside normal business hours.
Candidates for positions in this class will be required to pass a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, sounds, forms, textures or physical appearance associated with job-related objects, materials, tasks or people. Environmental Factors: Requires the ability to work under conditions where exposure to environmental factors poses a limited risk of minor injury or illness.
CLASS: 312010; EST: 12/1/1993;
CLASS: 313010; EST: 12/1/1993; REV: 2/1/2003;
CLASS: 313140; EST: 12/1/1993; REV: 2/1/2003;
CLASS: 313150; EST: 12/1/1993;
