ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - UNCLASSIFIED

Job Summary

This position is primarily responsible for representing the Commission’s Executive Director in Ethics Complaint cases. The Associate Counsel participates in the jurisdictional review of incoming cases, leads the investigation of ethics complaints, and prepares legal recommendations to Commission Review Panels at the conclusion of an investigation. After the investigation stage, the position represents the Executive Director in settlement conferences, stipulation negotiations, discovery, motion work, and hearing presentation leading to an final adjudicatory decision by the Commission.

Essential Qualifications

• An active license to practice law in the State of Nevada.
• Applications for individuals pending Bar Exam results will be considered.
• Monday - Thursday work week 10 hour days 10% travel.

Job Duties

• COMMISSION CASES:
• Ethics complaints: Prepare recommendations regarding jurisdiction to investigate ethics complaints. Shape the scope and nature of investigations, including direction to Investigator. Prepare reports to the Executive Director regarding recommendations to Commission Review Panels for hearing determinations. Negotiate and draft proposed deferral agreements and stipulated agreements. Comply with scheduling orders, including discovery, drafting and/or responding to motions, requesting subpoenas, developing witness and documentary evidence, preparing pre-hearing statements and attending pre-hearing conferences. Represent Executive Director in presenting evidence and arguments to Commission during adjudicatory hearings. Assist in drafting proposed opinions. Orally present cases to the Review Panels or the full Commission as requested by the Executive Director.
• Requests for Advisory Opinions: Assist Commission Counsel to develop and research facts and prepare draft opinions, including interviewing requesters, researching relevant statutes, regulations and Commission precedent and developing legal analysis. Assist in drafting final opinions and abstract opinions.
• ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION:
• Develop and analyze the scope and nature of investigations of Ethics Complaints. Under direction of Executive Director, assign and review workload of Investigator related to Ethics Complaints. Assign various administrative tasks and legal research to Senior Legal Researcher and Executive Assistant. Assist Executive Director and Outreach and Education Officer in responding to public inquiries, and developing training or outreach materials. Other projects related to the operations of the agency as assigned.
• LITIGATION:
• Represents the Executive Director and/or assists Commission Counsel in litigation before any local, state and federal courts, including legal research and drafting legal memoranda, including, without limitation, judicial review and appellate proceedings.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Must possess superior legal research, writing, and oral presentation skills, must be flexible, and must be well-organized and capable of working independently with minimal supervision or support staff.
• Must be able to investigate facts, collaborate with investigation and support staff, analyze applicable laws and prepare related legal memorandums.
• Must possess skills in effective written and verbal communication.

Recruiter Contact Information

Sonja Grass - SonjaGrass@admin.nv.gov

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

State Holidays

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
• Washington’s Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Nevada Day
• Christmas Day