Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV - Child Welfare

About the role

The County of Riverside’s Office of the County Counsel has multiple opportunities for a Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV to support their Riverside Child Welfare Division at County Farm Circle. The Child Welfare Division handles cases involving allegations of child abuse and/or neglect. The Deputy County Counsel will manage a large number of cases and work on a team with other Deputy County Counsels.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and advice to Deputy County Counsel attorneys, Supervisors, and Chief Deputies in matters of law and trial tactics, legal research, preparation of legal briefs and opinions, completing mediations, and trial and appellate practices.
• Provide responsive, high-quality service to County employees and representatives of outside agencies by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient and timely manner, and may interact with members of the public.
• Counsel and provide recommendations to subordinate Deputies and Paralegals on more difficult and complex legal problems.
• Represent the County in all state and federal courts and before administrative hearing bodies.
• Study and interpret laws, court decisions, ordinances, and other legal authorities.
• Draft written opinions and render informal opinions on legal questions; draft regular Risk Management case reports; prepare correspondence and pleadings; handle percipient witness and expert depositions; prepare written discovery; prepare pretrial motions and settlement conferences; first or second chair trials as needed.
• Analyze, research and resolve difficult and complex legal problems.
• Prepare, present and manage difficult to complex trial and appellate cases under minimal to moderate supervision depending upon level of experience.
• May be required to perform the functions of the lower-level Deputy County Counsel classifications.

Requirements

Graduated from an American Bar Association accredited law school and be an active member in good standing with the California State Bar. The most competitive candidates will be highly motivated and detail-oriented with prior law experience with a government entity or providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies and departments. Prior experience with social work, probation, family law, probate litigation, or immigration law is highly desired.

Qualifications

• Deputy County Counsel II: One year at the Deputy County Counsel I level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city. OR Two years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments. OR Two years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities. OR Two years in the practice of criminal law.
• Deputy County Counsel III: One year at the Deputy County Counsel II level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city. OR Three years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments. OR Three years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities. OR Three years in the practice of criminal law.
• Deputy County Counsel IV: One year at the Deputy County Counsel III level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city. OR Four years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments. OR Four years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities. OR Four years in the practice of criminal law.

Pay

• Deputy County Counsel II: $51.47 - $66.80 Hourly
• Deputy County Counsel III: $65.87-$86.34 Hourly
• Deputy County Counsel IV: $69.29 - $103.35 Hourly

Schedule

Hours are typically 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Some evening and weekend work may be required.