Attorney IV - County Counsel - Legislative Deputy County Counsel

Under direction, performs professional legal work in the Office of the County Counsel to represent and advise the Board of Supervisors, County officers and departments and certain other public entities on legal issues; represents County agencies in a variety of civil matters; and assists in drafting and/or negotiating contracts, leases, ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents.

The Office of the County Counsel for the County of Santa Clara is one of the premier public law offices in the country and offers an interesting, varied, fast-paced practice with competitive salary and benefits.
 
The Office is seeking an attorney who has expertise in legislation and legislative advocacy, particularly at the state level, to coordinate the work of the County of Santa Clara regarding state legislative activities.  The County is regularly and significantly affected by state legislation, including regulations and agency decision-making processes.  Among other responsibilities, this attorney will work in cooperation with the County’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs on legislative activities, including advocacy on pending legislation, as well as coordination of internal analyses of pending and approved legislation.  The attorney’s work will primarily be based in Sacramento, but the attorney will also need to be able to travel regularly to Santa Clara County as needed.  
 
A successful attorney candidate must have experience writing and editing legislative proposals and performing advocacy (in support and opposition) relating to pending legislation with state legislators and their staff.

• Represents and advises one or more County department(s), board(s), committee(s), or County officer(s) and employees on legal issues regarding their powers, functions, jurisdiction, procedures, obligations and operations;
   
• Performs legal research on a variety of legal issues pertaining to the interests of the County;
   
• Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in preparing contracts, pleadings, ordinances, resolutions, memoranda and opinions;
   
• Attends meetings of boards, commissions or other committees to give legal advice;
   
• Litigates in both Federal and State Courts;
   
• Assists departments and other contacts in preparing documents, such as labor contracts and agreements;
   
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
   
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge and abilities consistent with the highest standard of the legal profession and with the level of difficulty and expertise required for the intended appointment.

Membership in the California State Bar is required prior to appointment. Active membership in good standing of the California State Bar must be maintained throughout employment.
 

• Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations applicable to the assigned responsibility;
   
• Trial and hearing practices, procedures and rules of evidence;
   
• Legal research methods, practices and techniques;
   
• General office practices and procedures, such as record keeping practices.

• Perform legal research;
   
• Analyze and apply legal principles and facts to legal issues;
   
• Analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action;
   
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions on legal cases and in dealing with people;
   
• Monitor current and proposed legislation relating to assigned responsibility;
   
• Write comments or arguments appropriately within a political and sensitive environment;
   
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and colleagues in the performance of required duties.