Senior Assistant Legal Counsel (Underfill Assistant Legal Counsel)

Full Job Description

Marion County’s Office of Legal Counsel values a strong culture that encourages excellence, service, teamwork, initiative, and creativity.

County legal work and litigation covers a wide variety of legal topics, including public safety, torts, employment, civil rights, property taxes, land use, quality of life, and pushing back on state/federal regulatory overreach.

Marion County serves over 350,000 residents and includes 20 incorporated cities, 37 unincorporated communities, and nearly 1,200 square miles as Oregon’s leading agricultural producer.

Marion County has 17 departments, over 1,600 employees, and a fiscal year 2025-26 total budget around $743 million.

Legal Counsel attorneys serve as the exclusive civil lawyers and counselors for Marion County in a wide range of areas - including board of commissioners, sheriff, district attorney, clerk, assessor, treasurer, justice court, health & human services, public works, contracts, litigation, land use, parks, economic development, housing authority, utilities, waste services, community services, human resources, finance, etc.

The Office of Legal Counsel supports Marion County’s work to further its strategic plan goals:

• Public Safety: Pursue a safe and secure community by protecting people, property, and the economy of Marion County.
• Transportation, Infrastructure, and Emergency Management: Provide leadership that addresses the continual growth and increasing diversity of Marion County’s population and focuses resources on best meeting the needs of residents and supporting business.
• Health & Community Services: Promote the overall health of people in Marion County by improving the delivery of quality health services and supporting community-based prevention efforts.
• Economic and Community Development: Support employers, businesses, and property owners that promotes economic development and high standards of livability in Marion County.
• Civil and Government Services: Provide efficient, effective, and responsive government through stewardship and accountability.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Work under the close supervision of the Marion County Counsel, who determines goals, assigns work, and reviews work for effectiveness and conformance to policy through reports, observation, and conferences.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.

Requirements

Prepare and conduct trial court litigation, e.g., tort claims, lien foreclosure, defending county actions, challenging state/federal actions.

Represent Marion County before various administrative tribunals, in mediations, and arbitrations.Provides legal advice to department managers, the Board of Commissioners, and county employees.

This includes telephone conferences, electronic mail, office visits, meetings, on-site visits, written opinions, seminars and training sessions.

Undertakes research and drafts legal documents such as memoranda, legal opinions, complaints, answers, options, interrogatories, orders, pretrial orders, settlement releases, jury instructions, contracts, deeds, Board of Commissioners orders and resolutions, and others.Prepare and present ordinance enforcement cases, respond to and/or object to public records requests and subpoenas.Court appearances, witness preparation, legal research, viewing the scene of the incident, and dealing with opposing counsel and parties by telephone, electronic mail, letter and conference.Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Commissioners, elected officials, department heads, supervisors and employees of county government on all issues relating to county operations.Provides advice to County departments; responds to inquiries of other government bodies and private citizens regarding County regulations, complaints and cooperative efforts.Cross train in various areas of law to provide legal advice and representation to entities served by this office as necessary.Perform other duties as assigned.Senior Assistant Legal Counsel job functions may include all of the above Assistant Legal Counsel duties and others but at a higher complexity and risk level, which requires additional skill, initiative, and experience.

Qualifications EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSISTANT LEGAL COUNSELGraduation from an accredited school of law; AND

• In addition to the education and training requirements listed above, the Senior Assistant Legal Counsel must have at least four additional years of experience practicing law, with emphasis in civil law, preferably with experience in municipal government, civil law, or litigation.