Assistant County Attorney

The Assistant County Attorney is responsible for providing a full range of legal services as assigned by the County Attorney. This position reviews, prepares, and prosecutes criminal, civil, and juvenile cases and represents Kandiyohi County in child protection, juvenile delinquency, child support, adult prosecution, and other assigned areas. Responsibilities include providing legal advice and opinions, drafting legal documents, preparing and litigating cases, handling appeals, and providing legal training to County staff as needed.

• Review, prepare, and prosecute criminal, civil, and juvenile cases, including reviewing case referrals from law enforcement and other agencies.
• Interview clients, witnesses, and involved parties; evaluate evidence; and prepare cases for court proceedings.
• Provide legal advice, counsel, and opinions to County staff, departments, boards, and commissions.
• Negotiate with opposing counsel and represent the County’s interests in legal proceedings.
• Draft a wide variety of legal documents, including but not limited to charging documents, petitions, contracts, agreements, motions, appeal documents, probable cause statements, and other legal correspondence.
• Represent the County in matters related to child protection and child support, juvenile delinquency, adult prosecution, and other legal areas as assigned.
• Litigate cases in applicable courts, including district and appellate courts, and handle appeals as required.
• Provide legal training and guidance to County staff and partner agencies as assigned.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree.
• Sufficient experience as necessitated by the competency level of the position, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota, eligible for admission, or a law school graduate awaiting the Minnesota Bar Examination.

Skills and Abilities

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and statutes.
• Judicial rules of practice and procedure.
• Legal research methods and principles.
• Conducting legal research and analysis.
• Preparing and drafting legal documents.
• Using computers and related legal software applications.
• Speaking in public and presenting legal arguments.
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Utilizing interpersonal skills to interact professionally with coworkers, supervisors, the judiciary, law enforcement, the general public, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout the day to perform both office and fieldwork.
• Ability to travel frequently within and outside the county to attend home visits, court hearings, and meetings.
• Must be able to lift and carry files or supplies up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work in emotionally demanding and sometimes high-stress environments.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.