Lead Attorney - Criminal Felony

GENERAL PURPOSE    

Under the general supervision of the County Attorney and the Chief Deputy County Attorney, the incumbent assists with complex cases and provides training and support within the County Attorney’s Office within a specified section or area of activity while performing as legal counsel within that section or area of activity. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Review investigative reports and evidence.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, Officials, the court system, and the general public. 

Interview and prepare witnesses for various legal proceedings.

Develop strategies and arguments in preparation for legal proceedings.

Conduct hearings and present evidence concerning all stages of legal proceedings.

Perform professional legal research.

Draft pleadings, motions, correspondence, reports, briefs and other legal documents as required or requested.

Review orders, opinions, memos, contracts, rules and regulations, correspondence, and other legal papers for use by county departments and officials.

Confer with judges and opposing counsel concerning pending cases.

Confer with and advise investigative agencies concerning pending investigations.

Advise various county entities on legal questions and interpretations.

Demonstrate working knowledge of the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and other relevant Nebraska statutes.

Confer with colleagues to establish and verify basis for legal issues.

Demonstrate a working knowledge outside agencies that may be relevant for making referrals as needed or requested.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, Officials, the court system, and the general public. 

Manage own time in the completion of assigned tasks and projects.

Demonstrate an ability and willingness to offer opinions and problem-solve as required.

Design, prepare and complete specialized tasks as directed by Division Lead, Chief Deputy, or County Attorney.

Report to work with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.

Peripheral Duties

Confer with other attorney(s) as part of a team regarding specific caseload or division matters.

Represent the County Attorney’s Office to outside organizations and members of the community through personal, written and oral communication.

Perform other related duties as may be required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.

Licensed to practice law in Nebraska.

Member in good standing with the state Bar Association.

Four (4) years of experience as an attorney with a governmental agency OR six (6) years of experience.

Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Drivers’ License, as well as meet eligibility requirements of “acceptable driver standards” as defined by the County.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Extensive knowledge of laws, research, and legal writing ability

Skilled in and ability to prepare legal opinions and orders

Effective communication skills

Skill in public speaking and oral presentations

Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents

Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion  

Ability to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing

Ability to work under pressure, deadlines, and/or frequent interruptions

Ability to maintain confidential information

Ability to efficiently and effectively administer the law library

Ability to operate office equipment including, but not limited to, multi-line phone, computer and computer software, typewriter, printer, scanner, copier, and fax

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work requires some physical activity, including frequent periods of sitting/remaining stationary walking/moving about, standing/remaining upright, as well as occasionally bending and reaching.  The incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate/manipulate equipment (e.g. use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls).  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch.  Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close and color vision as well as the depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  Communication abilities include the ability to talk (verbal exchange) and hear within normal ranges. Work is generally performed in an office setting during day-shift hours, however hours may occasionally include evening, holidays, weekends, and call-ins, with occasional outside work setting and exposure to elements. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, reference checks, successful completion of a national criminal background check, successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, and other job related tests or checks as may be required.

DISCLAIMER

The job description is current as of the date signed.  Any omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if they are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.