Seasonal Internship - County Attorney

The Seasonal Intern is responsible for assisting attorneys with various legal matters including assisting in the preparation of legal opinions, contracts, and other legal documents; drafting legislation; performing legal research in many areas of the law; assisting in the preparation of and attending various administrative and judicial proceedings; and addressing various legal matters which arise and affect the County on a daily basis.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The following duties are representative of the work required for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

• The County Attorney’s Office has various duties, including litigation, legislation, contract-related, compliance, and operational duties. The Seasonal Intern assists the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys with those various duties and functions as needed.
• Litigation duties may include assisting with or performing:
  • Claims and ante litem intake and processing; intake of court and case documents.
  • Case investigations, including witness interviews, drafting and responding to written discovery, and coordinating with other departments to collect evidence and information as needed.
  • Drafting high volumes of legal notices; drafting and responding to case correspondence; communicating, both telephonically and in-person with government employees and the public regarding cases.
• Legislation, contract, and compliance duties may include assisting with or performing:

• Drafting correspondence, legislation, legal opinions, contracts, and other documents.

• Perform legal research in many areas of the law, including the interpretation and applicability of local, state, and federal laws, administrative regulations, and judicial procedures relating to the Mayor, Board of Commissioners, and various County departments.

• Review and interpret various contracts and legal documents.

• Attend Board of Commissioners meetings and various County committee meetings as a secondary legal advisor.

• Review and interpret various contracts and legal documents.

• Work with the public on general complaints and matters of County business.

• Conduct real estate title research and real estate transactions.

• Advise various departments and agencies on general County procedures and specific job-related matters that arise from day to day.

• Work with state and federal legislators to prepare relevant legislation.

The Seasonal Intern must be a current student at an ABA-accredited law school and possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to professional experience and other qualifications, preference may be given to applicants based on their law school grades and class rank; participation in mock trial, moot court, or any law review or scholarly journal; professional leadership experience; or those who have a special interest in Macon-Bibb County.

The Seasonal Intern must be or become knowledgeable of the following principles, procedures, and concepts:

• Knowledge of English grammar and spelling.
• Knowledge of personal computers and relevant office software.
• Proficiency with Westlaw Edge, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Ability to type quickly and effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing on complex legal subjects.
• Ability to work courteously with others and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, administrative officials, local government staff, vendors, and members of the general public.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and to effectively present such material orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, across many fields of legal practice.
• Knowledge of County ordinances and an understanding of their accepted interpretations.
• Ability to draft in-office memos, legal instruments, proposed legislation, and legal opinions.
• Ability to conduct legal research online.
• Ability to accomplish assigned tasks under limited supervision and under short deadlines.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid Georgia Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

Ability to read and understand written materials in English.  Ability to effectively communicate information to supervisors, employees, and the general public. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: 

Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: 

Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in written form in a professional manner in order to give or exchange information, resolve problems, and/or provide service. In addition, this position requires extensive contact with other employees and the general public, often involving problem-solving circumstances.

REASONING ABILITY: 

Ability to interpret and understand a variety of forms, reports, manuals, state and federal statutes, regulations, local ordinances, and case law, and other means of instruction and guidance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires light demands with intermittent sitting, standing, walking, computer use, and occasional lifting of lightweight objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is primarily an indoor office work area.

PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS:

The ability to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and decorum, including under the State Bar of Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, and strictly following the same ethical standards imposed upon attorneys practicing law in Georgia.

FINANCIAL SKILLS:

The ability to understand and apply basic financial concepts, such as budgets, credits, debits, payments, and rates of payment.