Supervising County Counsel

Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by eight (8) years of experience in law in any discipline or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. 

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the State Bar of Georgia or obtain it within six months of hire.  Must  possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

.Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to provide legal counsel to assigned departments, boards, elected officials, and employees. This classification is distinguished from Senior Assistant County Counsel in that incumbents in this class provide lead guidance and direction to junior lawyers, paralegals and other administrative staff, and have demonstrated experience independently handling civil litigation and /or transactional legal work of a complex nature. Positions in the level and function with autonomy representing the interests of the county-related clients with limited supervision. The Fulton County Attorney’s Office (FCAO) serves as in-house counsel for all non-criminal legal matters in Fulton County, an organization consisting of over 5,000 employees and officials. The FCAO handles a broad range and high volume of transactions and lawsuits that touch upon all operational aspects of the largest county in the State of Georgia, as well as handling routine and complex litigation. Matters handled in this office span from administrative to constitutional law, with clients and practice areas that include:  public health and safety, labor and employment, compliance, real estate, finance, taxation, emergency services, licensing and code enforcement, personal injury, premises liability, community development, arts and culture, film industry, information technology, public works and infrastructure, elections, libraries, courts, boards, and authorities.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned

.Leads and coordinates daily work  of assigned team or co-workers;  organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures and proper use of equipment; assists with supervision of co-workers by reporting employee problems and providing input on disciplinary action and employee performance evaluations. Confers with Deputy County Counsel regarding assignments.  

Serves as counsel in representing the legal interest of the County for assigned county-related clients in accordance with state and federal laws and rules of professional conduct: provides legal advice to represented clients and other department heads, elected officials or managers as requested or assigned; attends meetings; assesses nature of the legal issue presented; researches internal regulations, policies and procedures or relevant state and federal law; advises client of legal solution and execution of appropriate steps and implementation; writes legal opinions and memoranda; develops strategies and solutions to ensure compliance; provides information regarding updated laws and regulations as needed.  

Manages litigation for assigned departments: prepares and responds to interrogatories, requests for production of documents, requests for admissions and other discovery requests; prepares appropriate motions and other necessary pleadings; takes and defends depositions; meets with clients and other witnesses; conducts legal research; determines case strategy; attends mediations, trials, and hearings; argues client's position; makes and responds to legal arguments; presents and examines witnesses; introduces and/or opposes to evidence; issues subpoenas; prepares and responds to appellate filings; communicates with clients, opposing counsel, and adverse parties; maintains related documentation and files; reviews pleadings and filings of junior attorneys; coordinates litigation roles and responsibilities; directs trial preparation processes.  

Drafts and reviews contracts and agreements: reviews contracts for compliance with internal policies and procedures, as well as local, state and federal laws; conducts research; analyzes terms and conditions to ensure County's interests are protected and safeguard against potential liability; gives legal advice regarding contract details; maintains related documentation and files; facilitates resolution of contractual issues. 

Represents assigned department in personnel matters: attends classified employee hearings and other proceedings; conducts research; interviews clients; represents County's interests.

Represents County in tax appeals: responds to the Notice of Appeal; prepares and responds to interrogatories, requests for admission and requests for production of documents; attends mediations, arbitration and hearings; prepares for and attends trial as lead counsel in state and federal court; meets with client and expert witnesses; reviews and analyzes data submitted by client and taxpayer. 

Develops and reviews legislation: reviews, drafts, and interprets laws, ordinances, regulations, and resolutions; reviews and interprets pending and new legislation; analyzes impact on County policies and services; provides advice and direction to County officials and departments regarding the same. 

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures: maintains an awareness of new procedures, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in training and continuing education activities; attends and conducts meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.

 Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including legal and court documents, legal correspondence, contracts, open records requests, legislation, and budgets; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including legal pleadings, discovery motions, legal correspondence, legal memoranda, and legislation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.  

Operates or uses various equipment and supplies in order to complete work assignments: operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.  

Communicates with County officials, supervisor, other employees, clients, court personnel, third party service contractors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.  

Additional Functions:  Performs other related duties as required and assigned. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a managerial capacity for a division or organizational unit; includes the ability to make decisions on procedural and technical levels.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.