The Sheriff’s Office Legal Counsel, under general supervision, performs professional tasks assigned by the Sheriff and/or Chief Deputies. Work includes provision of legal counsel to Sheriff’s personnel, legal research, preparation and review of contracts, review of ordinances, general statutes, agency policies, and other miscellaneous legal documents, and occasional litigation and appearances before administrative bodies as well as state and federal courts. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in various phases of work.
Under general supervision, the Sheriff’s Legal Counsel is primarily responsible for legal advice and legal representation of the Sheriff of Union County and the Sheriff’s employees.
The Sheriff’s Legal Counsel is a senior staff member of the Union County Sheriff who provides policy guidance, risk management, legal advice, and representation for the elected Sheriff of Union County, agency employees, as well as performing other tasks. The Sheriff’s Legal Counsel works closely with and reports directly to the Sheriff; has considerable independent judgment and initiative in determining and executing duties; is responsible for ensuring agency operational compliance with all federal and state laws, county/municipal ordinances as well as the policies of the Sheriff. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Sheriff’s Legal Counsel must maintain an in-depth working knowledge of all areas of operation within the Sheriff’s Office, as well as maintain a positive working relationship with agency personnel at all levels within the chain of command. The Sheriff’s Legal Counsel must remain abreast of current developments in legal and law enforcement practice, inform line personnel of relevant changes, and take steps to ensure operational compliance. The Sheriff’s Legal Counsel may also provide legal guidance during internal investigations, as directed by the Sheriff and/or Chief Deputies.
The Sheriff’s Legal Counsel serves as an advisor in agency operations posing risks of civil and/or criminal liability to the Sheriff and the County, including high-risk warrant service, major crime investigations, drug interdiction and surveillance operations, significant transitional operations, and other operations as directed by the Sheriff and/or Chief Deputies. The Sheriff’s Legal Counsel acts as a general legal advisor for all employees of the Sheriff regarding agency-related legal inquiries and may represent the Sheriff, the Sheriff’s Office, and/or one or more of the Sheriff’s personnel in administrative hearings or in a court of law, as the Sheriff and/or Chief Deputies direct. When the Sheriff utilizes the services of an outside attorney, this employee coordinates with such outside attorney in documentation products, gathering relevant evidence, and other legal tasks as necessary.
In the areas of legal advice and planning, the Sheriff’s Legal Counsel exercises broad independent judgment as required by professional legal ethics. In general terms, the relationship between this employee and the elected Sheriff is that of attorney and client, and this relationship extends where relevant to employees of the Sheriff. In all matters where the interests of the Sheriff and agency employees are diverse, however, the Sheriff’s Legal Counsel represents only the Sheriff.
Consults with and advises the Sheriff and/or Chief Deputies in all matters pertaining to the constitutional and statutory duties of the Office of Sheriff, questions of law, and administration of the Sheriff’s Office.
Serves as Legal Counsel to the Sheriff and/or any employees of the Sheriff’s Office. May, at the discretion of the Sheriff, represent the Sheriff and/or any employees of the Sheriff’s Office at all levels of federal and state courts and hearings by administrative agencies. In all cases where the interests of the Sheriff and employees are adverse, the Sheriff’s Legal Counsel represents only the Sheriff. Coordinates necessary civil and criminal discovery, including documentation production and preservation of physical evidence. Works in coordination with outside attorneys at the direction of the Sheriff and/or Chief Deputies.
Provides legal research and assistance to all Sheriff’s employees on complex legal problems concerning the proper performance of official duties. Prepares and disseminates legal memoranda and reviews and approves legal documents.
Must be available on a twenty-four (24) hour basis for emergency legal aid for the Sheriff and Sheriff’s personnel. Circumstances may require the Sheriff’s Legal Counsel to make rapid, significant decisions requiring sound legal and professional judgment in a highly destabilized, fluid, and stressful environment, with significant time restrictions and without ready reference to standard legal research materials.
Acts as liaison for the Sheriff, at the Sheriff’s direction, with other federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies, federal and state regulatory agencies, federal and state departments of justice, and other county governmental agencies.
Frequently interacts with the public. Fields citizen questions of a legal nature and refers them to appropriate resources.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Requires a Juris Doctor Degree (JD) from an accredited school of law, and five (5) years of experience serving as legal counsel within the public sector; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses or Certifications:
Licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina.
Special Requirements:
None Specified.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Juris Doctor Degree (JD) from an accredited school of law, and six (6) years of experience serving as legal counsel within the public sector; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Member of North Carolina Bar Association

Special Requirements:

None Specified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, dictaphones, typewriters, calculators, answering machines, multi-line programmable telephones, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force to move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.