GENERAL DEFINITION:

This is professional legal work and supervisory work performing legal services for the County.

Work involves supervising subordinate professional employees in researching legal questions, preparing resolutions, briefs and legal documents, and rendering legal opinions. Duties include the preparation and trying of cases before administrative bodies and in the courts, investigation of claims and complaints, and advising County offices of the legality of their actions. Work is reviewed by a superior through conferences and inspection of documents.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative Only)

This classification is distinguished from the position of Attorney II by the addition of some supervisory responsibilities or complex issues.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Performs legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the County departments or offices.

Prepares, drafts, reviews, revises and approves contracts, deeds, leases, pleadings, and other legal documents and instruments for various County departments; reviews such documents and renders opinions as to their legal acceptability.

Investigates claims and complaints made by or against the County government; recommends action to be taken; prepares and tries cases for damage and other suits and hearings; represents the County departments, boards and agencies in such hearings.

Supervises, prepares and presents cases in the Office of the Public Defender, District Attorney, Solicitor and other County departments.

Performs related work as required.

ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Considerable knowledge of municipal, County, State, Federal, common law, and constitutional law affecting the County government.

Considerable knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures and rules of evidence.

Knowledge of supervisory principles.

Some knowledge of County ordinances and charter provisions relating to authority and functions of related County departments.

Thorough knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.

Considerable knowledge in preparing criminal law cases.

Thorough knowledge in analyzing and preparing a variety of legal documents.

Thorough knowledge in researching legal problems and in preparing legal opinions.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an accredited law school; thorough experience in professional legal work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Member of the PA Bar.