Assistant County Attorney I

Dallas County•Adel, IA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for performing a variety of administrative, technical, and advanced professional legal work of moderate to considerable difficulty in representing the County in criminal, juvenile, and civil cases. May be designated an Assistant County Attorney II and placed in salary grade 22 or an Assistant County Attorney III and placed in salary grade 23, if the employee has met the minimum years of experience required.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Law or related field.
Juris Doctorate (Law) degree from a law school which holds accreditation recognized for admission to the practice of law in Iowa required.
Successful completion of the Bar Exam.
Active license to practice law in the State of Iowa.
Up to eight years of work related experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Code of Iowa and Iowa Case Law.
Knowledge of civil, criminal, CINA and/or juvenile justice procedures.
Knowledge of the Iowa Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure.
Knowledge of trial proceedings.
Knowledge of litigation and document management software.
Skill in the completion of legal research.
Skill in producing persuasive legal arguments.
Skill in prioritizing, planning, taking initiative and working independently.
Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions.
Skill in problem solving.
Skill in meeting internal and external deadlines.
Skill in critical and strategic thinking.
Skill in interpersonal relations.
Skill in effective, professional, tactful and confident oral and written communication.

Responsibilities

Represents the County on the attorney’s assigned criminal or civil dockets, and implements the office policies and procedures related to the assigned docket.
Evaluates cases presented for investigation/prosecution or for litigation and effectively presents evidence in those matters including legal arguments regarding merit; performs legal research and other preparatory duties prior to trials and hearings and follows established office policies related to the assigned docket and cases.
Prepares legal documents for the Court or County departments, or provides directions to paralegals or law clerks in preparing legal documents for the Court or County departments and reviews their work. This includes but is not limited to, criminal complaints, trial information, minutes of testimony, motions, responses, resistances, and other court pleadings not mentioned, contracts, etc. All documents are prepared in the case management software or Monday.com for civil legal questions.
If assigned to a criminal docket, works with law enforcement agencies and provides accurate legal advice on relevant issues to support justice.
If assigned to a civil docket, works with County departments and County elected officials and their offices and provides accurate legal advice as to civil questions involving those departments and offices.
Assists other attorneys or staff with legal questions, work load, on-call issues and engages other office attorneys for assistance on legal issues when needed.
If assigned by the County Attorney, serves as a designated mentor for another office attorney or law clerk.
Effectively represents the County and/or State in side-dockets or secondary matters assigned by the County Attorney that are not a part of the general criminal matters assigned in the Associate District Court Docket and District Court Docket or general matters assigned in the Civil Docket. Examples of side-dockets include but are not limited to Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, Truancy, Forfeiture, Post-Conviction Relief, Mental Health, some civil matters, etc.
If assigned to a criminal docket, serves as Counsel or Co-Counsel in criminal cases and has regular trials before the Associate Court or District Court.
If assigned to the civil docket, attends County board and commission meetings (Board of Supervisors, Board of Adjustment, County Health Board, Conservation Board, etc.), public hearings, and attends civil court hearings and trials for Dallas County civil cases in Iowa Courts when necessary.
Effectively conducts legal research or provides directions to paralegals or law clerks in conducting legal research and drafts necessary memos, letters, or pleadings or reviews necessary memos, letter, and pleadings drafted by a paralegal or law clerk and reviews their work.
For attorneys assigned to the criminal docket, establishes rapport with victims and witnesses and always acts professionally in those interactions. Works with the victim witness coordinator to communicate with victims and subpoena witnesses for hearings, depositions, or trial.
For attorneys assigned to the civil docket, establishes rapport with County Elected Officials, County Department Heads and staff and acts professionally in those interactions. On civil cases, the same standard applies to witnesses and participants in civil matters.
Attends the weekly office collaboration meeting and actively participates.
Provides in person trainings to law enforcement or county departments as required by the County Attorney.
For attorneys assigned to a criminal docket, provides on-call support to law enforcement during assigned weekly rotations.
For attorneys assigned to the civil docket, is available for after hours emergency calls from the County Attorney, elected officials, and County Department Heads.
Interviews witnesses and advises complainants and witnesses in regard to prospective criminal, juvenile, or civil actions and prepares and presents evidence in those matters including legal arguments regarding merit; performs legal research and other preparatory duties prior to trials and hearings.
Performs related duties.