at Sedgwick County* in Wichita, Kansas, United States
Job Description
Job Summary:
This position assists the County Counselor and the Deputy County Counselor with protecting the County’s legal interests in all matters in which the County is involved, including the advising of the Board of County Commissioners, department heads, and other county officials as assigned. Ensures that the County is properly represented in legal proceedings as assigned, and that contracts, deeds, bonds, and other official documents are approved for form and legality (as assigned).
Advise the County Commissioners, elected officials, county manager and division/department heads (as assigned) on questions of law pertaining to County business.
- Attend meetings of the Board of County Commissioners or other public boards as required.
- Respond to inquiries made by commissioners and other county officials.
- Prepare resolutions, briefs, opinions, pleadings, and other legal papers; conducts necessary legal research; maintain case records and prepare reports.
- Review case law and legislation for impact on County business.
- Examine and advise on deeds, bonds, contracts, and other documents.
Represent and coordinate the representation of County’s interests in matters related to Planning and Zoning, Contracts, County Resolutions, and other designated duties.
- Coordinate with the leaders of the Contracts, Human Resources, Purchasing, and Planning practice groups to ensure coverage of practice group duties.
- Provide legal representation to County entities as a member of the Planning and Public Works practice groups as assigned.
Examine claims, lawsuits, and demands against the County to determine their legality.
- Prosecute interests of or defend interests of County in demands, claims, and litigation involving the County as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school.
- Two years’ experience in the practice of law or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Experience in law as it relates to local units of government is preferred.
- Admitted to the Bar of the State of Kansas.
- Eligible to practice law before the courts of the State of Kansas and the Federal District Court for the District of Kansas.
- Knowledge of the methods and practices of legal research.
- Proficiency in performing legal research electronically, accessing court documents, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, PowerPoint and Outlook. Knowledge of the methods and practices of civil prosecution and civil defense, effective trial techniques and the presentation of evidence.
- Knowledge of the common law, State and Federal laws and regulations, state and local court rules.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to analyze and organize facts in complex cases, to apply the law to them, and to present arguments thereon in clear and concise fashion, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with elected and appointed officials, County management and employees, the courts, and the public.
It is the policy of Sedgwick County not to discriminate in its programs or services provided to the general public, including employment and all other activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other similarly protected status. Sedgwick County is committed to making the application, interview, and pre-employment testing process accessible to persons with disabilities. If you wish to volunteer information regarding any special assistance you may need, please notify Human Resources by phone at (316) 660-7050, TDD (Kansas Relay at 711 or 800-766-3777). Do not use this phone number for employment questions. This number is provided only for those requiring ADA assistance. You will be contacted should the department feel that you are a qualified candidate.
