Principal Deputy County Counsel-Consumer Fairness & Public Protection
The Office of County Counsel is a full-service law office, tasked with handling the County’s civil law needs, including proactive participation in all phases of government decision making and a very active and successful trial litigation program. The Principal Deputy County Counsel will independently handle cases and assignments that have an elevated level of difficulty and complexity, and handling matters that have significant impact upon the County and its officers, boards and districts.
This position will be with the Consumer Fairness and Public Protection team and the attorney in this position will:
- Assist with the development and oversight of a consumer complaint intake and review process capable of identifying patterns of systemic harm, triaging matters for investigation or referral, and informing enforcement priorities and an outward, community-facing consumer complaint database.
- Provide guidance and advice to Deputy County Counsel and Senior Deputy County Counsel attorneys in matters of law and trial strategies, ordinance and policy drafting and interpretation, legal research, preparation of legal briefs and opinions, and recommendations, and trial and appellate practices.
- Act as a legal advisor for County departments, boards and commissions, or special districts as assigned by County Counsel.
- Perform legal research on all aspects of local government law.
- Prepare and rendering verbal or written opinions concerning department powers, functions, jurisdiction, authority, procedures, and matters of civil law.
- Assist in conducting caseload or assignment analysis; studies work patterns and section or team efficiency; assisting in developing and implementing procedures to improve efficiency.
- May guide, be a project lead over, and/or mentor less experienced attorneys and staff.
- May be required to perform the functions of the lower-level class in this series.
Please read the Principal Deputy County Counsel job description for additional information.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate has experience in subject matter experience in consumer protection law, legal research and litigation related to consumer protection, advising and drafting policy, and providing recommendations. The ideal candidate will also have some expertise in working with intake and case management software and helping build out, organize, and oversee the creation of a consumer complaint database.
Hiring Timeline and Date:
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
– Job offers and background process begins shortly after interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
– Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
– Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date. If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California, AND,
1. Two (2) years of experience as a Senior Deputy County Counsel Attorney in the County of San Diego, or at an equivalent level with another California county or city, handling above average difficult and complex cases or assignments; OR,
2. Five (5) years of professional post-bar civil legal experience as an attorney, which must have included handling civil law matters and/or cases in a public or private sector law office.
Note: Experience with a public entity representing public boards and commissions, preparing and trying public entity lawsuits, and drafting ordinances, policies, and public contracts is highly desirable.
To be considered for this position, please provide your CA Bar number or attach a copy of your California Bar Card to your application.
Notes:
1) Please attach a copy of your resume to your application.
2) Please attach a concise substantive legal writing sample to your application.
Also Required:
Positions may involve necessary and timely transportation for field travel, requiring the ability to arrange transportation to different worksites, meetings, or field work.
Must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Misdemeanor and/or felony convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency. Prior to appointment, candidates will be subject to a background investigation.