Assistant Corporation Counsel Senior

Oakland County•Pontiac, MI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Oakland County is seeking an experienced attorney to provide trusted legal counsel to administrators and elected officials, and to help protect the County’s legal and operational interests. This hybrid position offers the opportunity to apply legal expertise while making an impact in public service. The role is ideal for someone who thrives on challenging legal work, variety, collaboration, and serving the community.

Requirements

Possess a Bachelor of Law or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college of law.
Have at least six (6) years of full-time work experience in the practice of law.
Be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan.
Ability to communicate and accurately convey information.

Nice To Haves

Experience in real estate transactions.
Experience in Governmental Tort Liability Act and tort defense.
Experience in 42 U.S.C. §1983 litigation.
Experience in criminal defense or prosecution.
Experience in auto negligence defense.
Experience in local government taxation.
Experience in workers’ compensation.
Experience in employment law.
Experience in contracts.
Experience in commercial leases.
Experience in insurance law.
Experience in civil trial and appellate experience.
Experience in municipal law related to government duties, responsibilities, immunities, and privileges.
Considerable knowledge of the principles of civil law.
Considerable knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.
Considerable knowledge of civil procedure and the rules of evidence.
Considerable ability to analyze legal documents and instruments.
Considerable ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence and precedents related to cases, and to present such material orally and in writing in a clear and logical form.
Experience and knowledge of commercial transactions in a public environment (i.e., government), including drafting and negotiating complex contracts.
Demonstrated ability to exercise mature judgement and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions and work collaboratively in a team setting.
Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Court officials, County administrators, representatives from outside agencies and employees.
Experience with municipal law and working with governmental entities.
Familiar with current work processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and Internet software.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and counsel to County administrators, departments, and elected officials.
Conduct legal research, write and draft memorandums to county administrators and elected officials.
Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts and agreements with third parties.
Review and draft documents for real estate transactions (leases, easements, purchase agreements, and licenses).
Review contracts for the sale of goods and professional services.
Review and draft intergovernmental agreements.
Review and advise on grant agreements and compliance with grant program requirements.
Collaborate with County departments, leadership, outside counsel, and other stakeholders.
Conducts legal research on questions presented by County departments or on litigation matters and provide a written opinion.
Conducts research and renders legal advice to various County administrators and elected officials concerning their rights, obligations and/or privileges.
If assigned, handle complex cases initiated by the County or formulate and present the defense for suits brought against the County.
Follows legal precedent in representing the County in civil legal matters in the appropriate courts.
If assigned, review, prepare, and/or negotiate contracts and other legal documents to which the County is a party.
Provide advice on questions concerning laws governing Michigan public bodies such as the Freedom of Information Act, the Open Meetings Act, County Board of Commissioners Act, and laws governing individual County department and elected offices.
Petition Circuit Court for an order to have the lien against private property, which is in arrears in property taxes, reduced to a judgement, enabling the property to be sold at the Treasurer’s foreclosure sale.
Represent County departments in matters brought before the Personnel Appeal Board, which may include reviewing circumstances surrounding disciplinary actions; interviewing supervisors and other witnesses; assisting witnesses in preparing their testimony; and formulating and present the department’s case before the Appeal Board.
Represent the County before the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in extremely complex civil rights and discrimination proceedings, which may include investigating circumstances surrounding the complaint; researching precedent; preparing witnesses for testimony; and presenting the County’s case.
Draft, review, and negotiate transactions involving real estate and facilities use agreements.
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts for goods and services, such as contracts for information technology professional services and licenses, and handle legal issues relating to data privacy and data security.
Coordinate efforts and monitor the progress of litigation brought against the County where the County is represented by outside counsel.
Represent petitioners in proceedings seeking court-ordered involuntary hospitalization or community-based treatment mental health treatment for individuals suspected of suffering from mental illness and conduct the necessary legal research and follow the procedures set forth in the Mental Health Code and applicable statutes.
Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.