Chief Assistant County Counsel

County of Riverside, CA • Riverside, CA

56d

About The Position

The Office of County Counsel for Riverside County has opportunity for a Chief Assistant County Counsel. The Office is looking for experienced litigators with great leadership skills and a broad range of experience. The Chief Assistant County Counsel is a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the County Counsel, playing a pivotal role in shaping the legal, operational, and organizational direction of the Office of the County Counsel. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Assistant provides oversight and coordination of daily departmental operations and leads a team of experienced attorneys in delivering high-quality legal services to County departments, boards, and commissions. This position oversees the Land Use, Real Estate & Business Transactional and Public Safety & Litigation divisions, ensuring the delivery of innovative, practical, and effective legal solutions in complex areas of public agency and special district law. The ideal candidate is an accomplished legal professional and people leader-skilled in mentoring, developing, and inspiring teams, while maintaining accountability and performance standards. The successful candidate will bring a balance of legal expertise, political acumen, and collaborative leadership-someone who thrives in a dynamic public-sector environment and is adept at building strong relationships with County leaders, stakeholders, and the community. For more information, click the brochure below. This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (2) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the County Counsel. Meet the Team! The Office of County Counsel is a full-service law office that provides advisory and litigation support on issues of vital concern to the County and its residents such as health care, public safety (sheriff, jail, fire, ambulance), child welfare, land development, code enforcement, environmental protection, public finance, taxation, and elections.

Requirements

• Experience: Seven years of increasingly responsible professional level experience practicing law including experience in local governments or private practices including at least one year of supervisory or managerial experience.
• Knowledge of: Legal principles and their application with an emphasis on administrative law; organization, powers and limitations of County governmental functions and the California Constitution; methods and problems of administering the work of a governmental law office; principles of personnel management and supervision; recent litigation practices including discovery and strong working knowledge of the court system.
• Ability to: Analyze complex legal problems and apply legal principles and practices; research and draft opinions; analyze and draft ordinances and other regulations; prepare and present cases of law effectively; present facts, arguments and laws clearly and logically in written and oral form; work cooperatively with others.
• Other Requirements: A valid California Driver's License.
• Active membership in the State Bar of California

Nice To Haves

• A strong manager or supervisor who promotes professional development and cultivates talent across the organization.
• An experienced litigator with an in-depth understanding of local government law, civil practice, and regulatory compliance.
• A visionary leader who is solution-oriented, forward-thinking, and capable of addressing organizational challenges while fostering a clear strategic direction for the department.
• A collaborative professional who is politically astute, approachable, and adept at building productive relationships with staff, elected officials, and community partners.
• A principled public servant who models integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership in all aspects of their work.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate departmental operations and workload distribution:  Work closely with the County Counsel to plan, organize, assign, and balance the workload among the various divisions and four regional offices throughout the County. Ensure that resources are effectively allocated to meet service demands, case deadlines, and departmental objectives, while maintaining consistency and quality across all practice areas.
• Provide professional leadership and staff development: Offer guidance, training, and mentoring to attorneys and legal support staff to enhance professional growth, strengthen legal expertise, and promote a culture of collaboration and excellence. Establish performance standards, evaluate work products, and support succession planning efforts within the Office of the County Counsel.
• Advise boards, commissions, and County departments on complex legal matters: Serve as a principal legal advisor to various boards, commissions, committees, special districts, and joint powers authorities, addressing the most intricate and sensitive legal issues. Provide counsel to County and special district officers and employees on matters concerning their powers, duties, and obligations under state and federal law.
• Represent the County in litigation and legal proceedings: Represent the County and its officers in State and Federal courts, administrative hearings, and other proceedings. Conduct legal research, analyze and interpret statutes, regulations, and case law, and anticipate emerging legal issues affecting County operations.
• Prepare and review formal and informal legal opinions: Draft clear and well-reasoned written and oral opinions on the most complex and precedent-setting legal questions. Prepare legal correspondence, reports, and memoranda to advise decision-makers and document departmental positions on legal matters.
• Assist in fiscal and administrative management: Support the County Counsel in developing and administering the department's budget, establishing legal service rates, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring compliance with County fiscal and administrative policies. Contribute to strategic planning initiatives and process improvements that enhance operational efficiency.
• Serve as Acting County Counsel: Assume full responsibility for departmental leadership and decision-making in the absence of the County Counsel, ensuring continuity of operations and representation of County interests at the highest level.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: No Education Listed