Associate Attorney I, II or Senior / Probate Court

Purpose & Job Related Requirements

The purpose of this job is to assist the Clarke County Probate Court Judges in providing advisory, transactional, and litigation related legal services, docket and case management, and being a liaison to other county agencies and parties in pending litigation. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing cases for hearings and trial, preparing and analyzing briefs, reviewing motions and filings, scheduling cases for hearings and trial drafting orders, conducting legal research, evaluating contracts and deeds, providing legal counsel, assisting with oversight of court-appointed fiduciaries and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

• Attorney Pending Bar Results: $66,330 - 79,014 (DOQ)
• Attorney I: $80,624 - $90,042 (DOQ)
• Attorney II: $88,888 – $105886 (DOQ)
• Senior Attorney: $98,000 – $116,740 (DOQ)

Essential Duties, Responsibilities

• Reviews all civil filings to determine appropriate courses of action.
• Ensures that matters are promptly calendared by preparing scheduling orders, scheduling hearings, case status calendars, and trials.
• Creates invitations and hosts WebEx meetings that provide remote courtroom access for attendees as requested or needed.
• Refers all appropriate civil cases to the Tenth District Office of Dispute Resolution for mediation.
• Prepares cases for hearings and trials, reviews all petitions and motions, researches relevant legal issues by reviewing case law, statutes, and court rules, prepares briefs and memoranda, attends hearings and trials, evaluates oral arguments, provides legal opinions, and drafts orders.
• Prepares cases for trial, reviews motions in limine, reviews proposed pretrial orders, reviews deposition designations, prepares voir dire questions, assists with trial management, researches issues that arise at trial, prepares jury charges, and prepares verdict form and judgments.
• Reviews proposed orders and settlement agreements. Electronically files notices and orders entered, serves all relevant attorneys and parties.
• Knowledge of and adherence to the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct and the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct.
• Maintains and updates the probate court website.
• Serves as a liaison between the Judges, other courts, other county departments, law enforcement agencies, state agencies, attorneys and members of the public; coordinates with these entities to ensure efficient and effective operation of the Court.
• Provides legal research and counsel to judges; duties include rendering oral opinions, providing legal advice on government policies and procedures, reviewing deeds and contracts, researching case law, and conducting other legal services as requested. Prepares documentation to assist in the orderly administration of cases.
• Counsels and disciplines employees when necessary, and provides input for employee performance appraisals and evaluations.
• Reviews applications, selects, and supervises law student externs from the UGA externship program and other programs.
• Negotiates settlements and consent orders in cases.
• Provides administrative support to the office and judges when needed.
• Reads legal journals and case law to maintain knowledge of the legal profession.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
• Knowledge of the development and administration of operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of the specific duties of the position.
• Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, rules of court, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the job and especially Titles 9, 29 and 53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
• Knowledge of resources for keeping informed of any changes in policy, methods, operations, and budgetary and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
• Knowledge of and proficiency with computers, office equipment, software and technology.
• Ability to deal effectively with organizational, management, human relations and technical subjects.
• Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans, and activities and to monitor the performance of subordinates against measured, established goals.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term goals for the department in order to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, management, employees, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the Unified Government as they relate to the Probate Court.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing subordinates including the handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
• Ability to handle the required mathematical and statistical calculations.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret federal and state laws, local ordinances and codes, tax maps and digests, plats, case law, legal handbooks, financial reports, real estate appraisals, and other materials.
• Ability to use standard word processing and/or data base management software programs in performing administrative duties.