Assistant Corporation Counsel - Attorney

Closing Date: 31st May, 2026

Description:

Description:
Under the general direction of the Corporation Counsel, this attorney position provides civil legal services, advice and representation for Douglas County. Attorney responds to legal inquiries, rendering legal assistance and opinions to departments within Douglas County government, litigating cases and also initiates and conducts legal proceedings, drafts legal documents, and does appellate work when necessary.

FLSA status: Exempt. Full-time based on 40 hours per week.
2026 salary grade: $42.42 - $45.86

Douglas County offers a competitive benefits package including, but not limited, to:

• Annual wage increase based on eligibility
• Paid, on-the-job training and advancement opportunities
• 85% county contribution to health and dental premiums
• Health Saving Account (HSA) available to all employees enrolled in the county's medical plan, with annual contributions provided by the employer and the health plan
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)- One of the leading retirement systems in the nation- Contributions are paid according to current year rates set by Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (refer to www.etf.wi.gov for further detail)
• County paid life insurance policy with coverage equivalent to annual salary (affordable Supplemental, Additional, and Spousal/Dependent life insurance available at employee's expense)
• Competitive paid time off including vacation, sick time, personal days and holidays
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer

Essential Duties:

• Represent the interests of the State of Wisconsin as attorney for the child support agency, including commencement and handling of legal proceedings for the establishment of paternity, child support, child support modification, review, enforcement and related issues.
• Represent the interests of the State of Wisconsin, the County and public interest in the prosecution of mental health, guardianship and protective placement proceedings.
• Assist in preparation and review of related pleadings, stipulations, orders, warrants, petitions, summons, motions, judgments and related legal documents.
• Research and deliver legal opinions related to County Department programs, practices, and procedures.
• Prepare, draft, and file legal documents including pleadings, discovery, motions, judgments, appeals and related reports necessary for litigation; or drafts opinions, orders, or decisions.
• Provide legal representation for County departments in court appearances.
• Provide legal representation for the County in appellate work in which the County is a party.
• Review and draft contracts and leases when the County is a party.
• Draft and review County ordinances.
• Advise and represent the County in all civil legal proceedings involving the County including zoning ordinance violations, public health violations and small claims actions.
• Provide consultation on Wisconsin Public Records and Open Meeting laws.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding confidential and sensitive files, reports, materials and conversations in compliance with applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an ABA accredited law school, Juris Doctor degree.
• State of Wisconsin Law Licensure required.
• 2 years of active legal practice experience as a licensed attorney prior to the date of application preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and legal practice experience in the fields of family law, administrative, mental health, guardianships, collections, open meetings and public records law, and code enforcement desired.
• Must successfully pass criminal background checks.
• Valid driver's license or other reliable transportation to perform job duties plus driving record that meets County standards required.

Supplemental Information:
Required Knowledge and Competencies

• Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the Douglas County Code, Wisconsin State Statutes, the Administrative Code, applicable case law and federals laws in areas of municipal public law affecting County government and as applicable to County government, as well as the civil laws and procedures in Wisconsin.
• Knowledge of pertinent judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of family, municipal, administrative, trial, guardianship, protective placement, and mental health law as set forth in Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 48, 51, 54, 55, 59, 66, and 767 or related thereto.
• Knowledge of the law and legal principles related to establishment of paternity and the establishment, enforcement, and revision of child support provisions in divorce, paternity, foster care, and interstate cases.
• Ability to obtain access and utilize wiKIDS in regard to the establishment and enforcement of child support obligations.
• Ability to determine the adequacy and accuracy of pleadings, briefs, and opinions.
• Ability to provide reliable and sound legal counsel in the various fields of municipal law.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally an in writing with a capacity for analytical thinking with the general public, judges, attorneys and their support staff, County Board Supervisors and county personnel.
• Knowledge of litigation procedure, technique and strategy, and legal research methodology and capacity for presenting evidence and for making written and oral arguments or presentations, at times with short notice.
• Ability to perform legal research and draft briefs for court and ability to appraise, organize facts and effectively present materials in written or oral form.
• Considerable knowledge of governmental organization, legislative procedures and judicial procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships.

Working Conditions:
This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Requirements:
Exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Testing Requirements
Testing may be administered to assess the skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential duties of this position. Structured interview, references and/or background investigation.

Douglas County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

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