Deputy County Counsel III - Litigation

About the role

Join the County Counsel department as a Deputy County Counsel III - Litigation, a skilled litigation attorney position within the Litigation Practice Group. This group handles the majority of the County’s litigation work, both defense and affirmative, primarily advising the following departments:

• Human Resources
• Sheriff's Office
• Probation
• District Attorney
• Public Defender

This role will also engage with other practice areas such as Permit Sonoma, Health Services, and Human Services. The position focuses on governmental civil legal practice, employment law, and representation of public safety and justice departments, with an emphasis on law enforcement and correctional matters. Frequent in-person court appearances are required, along with collaborative work with justice partners and courts.

Experience or interest in the following areas is highly beneficial:

• Civil litigation from pre-trial through appeals
• Federal civil rights (42 USC 1983) litigation
• Habeas corpus proceedings
• Law enforcement and correctional matters
• Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR) and Pitchess proceedings
• In-person courtroom appearances
• Employment and labor law
• Workers compensation
• Writs and motion practice
• Probate law
• Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) and mental health matters
• Land use law, including code enforcement
• Brown Act, FOIA/PRA, and constitutional law

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present civil cases before administrative bodies, state, and federal courts
• Provide legal advice and representation to public safety and justice departments
• Conduct legal research, analyze facts, evidence, and precedents
• Draft and review ordinances, regulations, and legal documents
• Work collaboratively and independently on complex legal issues
• Assume responsibility for fast-moving projects
• Uphold ethical standards and identify and eliminate bias

Requirements

Minimum qualifications include:

• Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities
• Normally, two years of legal experience practicing civil law as a licensed attorney, with at least one year in a public agency performing duties comparable to a Deputy County Counsel II, or comparable private practice experience
• Current active membership in the State Bar of California

Skills

Ideal candidates will possess many of the following:

• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Highly effective research, writing, and oral communication skills
• Initiative, high standards, and drive to set and achieve goals
• Proven interest in continuous learning and professional growth
• Ability to think strategically and creatively
• Commitment to working cooperatively on complex issues

Considerable knowledge of:

• Written and oral communications, including language mechanics and syntax
• Principles and application of civil law
• Legal research methods
• Duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Office of the County Counsel
• Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence
• Organization, powers, and limitations of local governmental functions
• Statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California

Ability to:

• Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents
• Prepare, present, and conduct cases in court
• Present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with staff, departmental representatives, county officials, courts, and the public
• Analyze and draft ordinances and regulations

Benefits

Working at the County of Sonoma offers:

• Flexible work arrangements and a challenging, rewarding work environment
• Salary advancement after 1,040 hours (6 months full-time) for good performance, with annual increases until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career advancement opportunities to Deputy County Counsel IV ($93.34 - $113.46/hour)
• Competitive paid time off: vacation, sick leave, 12 paid holidays, and 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Annual staff development/wellness allowances up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County-paid health premium contributions: 100% premium contribution for most employee-only and employee + family health plans
• Post-retirement health reimbursement arrangement with County contributions
• Retirement pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation: 3%/1.9% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), plus County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a) based on employee contribution
• Paid parental leave: up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and employee assistance program
• Hybrid telework options depending on assignment
• Student loan debt relief eligibility through Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Pay

Starting salary up to $101.16/hourly ($211,133/annually). Salary is negotiable within the established range.