Purpose/Description

Assistant Corporation Counsel 4 will provide legal representation and consultation to the County, elected officials, as well as County departments, boards, and commissions. Duties include: legal representation of Wayne County in judicial and administrative proceedings; handling matters assigned by Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel and Principal Attorney; attending County Commission and Committee meetings; interacting with outside counsel; completing administrative and reporting responsibilities as required.

• Required Tasks
  • With minimum supervision, handle every aspect of federal and state court litigation, including discovery and motion practice, familiarity with the court rules of evidence, aware of and meeting filing deadlines, and having the ability to electronically file pleadings within the e-filing system
  • Provide Compliance advice support and consultation.
  • Handle individual matter assignments for a variety of clients including regular client communication, attending judicial and administrative hearings drafting legal memos, opinions, drafting and interpreting contracts and other legal documents, and response to subpoenas and FOIA requests.
  • Interpret legislation, laws and regulations for clients and County officials.
  • Support non-departmental administrative and other responsibilities necessitated by client department needs.
  • With minimum supervision handle every aspect of administrative matters, including responding to requests for information/documents fact-gathering, client discussions & employee interviews, attending meetings, presenting position statements or other persuasive writing, and advocating at hearings, mediations, facilitations, or other adversarial forums
  • .Research, review and draft and/revise client policies and procedures, and participate in client meetings regarding the policies and procedures.
  • Perform Policy review and drafting.
  • Draft and review contracts.
  • Conduct legal research and provide legal advice course of action and recommendations to clients involving complex health/municipal matters involving the areas of Employee benefits, Federally Qualified health centers, public health & safety health care law and Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act.
  • Read and understand case law and statutes thoroughly, issue spot, and critically analyze facts to legal precedent.
  • Provide direct and regular communication to client and supervisors as to the progress or status of a case matter, proceeding, etc., and gives risk/benefit analysis & recommendations throughout legal representation.
  • Serve as lead trial counsel in complex or high exposure cases in state or federal court, and fully prepare for trial including voir dire, jury instructions, witness preparation and witness direct/cross-examinations, opening statements & closing arguments, and post-trial proceedings.
  • Conduct legal or other research to best prepare for written or oral arguments in advocating for Wayne County; continually staying up-to-date and familiar with emerging and changing laws.
  • Prepare for, preserve the record, and handle all aspects of appeals in state and federal court.
  • Prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, summaries, and memoranda of law, as well as legal opinions and correspondences.
  • Provide direction and advice to lower classification attorneys in all aspects of litigation, including case work-up, strategy lay and expert witnesses, investigation, trial preparation, and appellate proceedings.
  • Serve as counsel to departments and agencies, gives legal advice in respect to the activities of the departments and agencies.
  • Attend meetings, including client meetings, board meetings, commission meetings, departmental meetings internal staff meetings and appears before the Board of Commissioners whenever necessary.
  • Appear in Probate Court for the mental health docket which includes bench trials and jury trials for civil commitment hearings.
  • Maintain proficiency and keep current all assigned matters in Prolaw (or other case management system).

• Educational Requirements
  • Juris Doctorate and continuing legal education in assigned practice area.
  • State Bar of Michigan license and admission to State and Federal courts as necessitated by practice group requirements.
• Experience Requirements
  • Minimum four years prior experience in assigned practice area