Assistant County Attorney I (MPIA) - Non-Merit

Description:

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Office of Law.

Interested applicants MUST attach a resume and writing sample to your application.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experiences on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered.

You can attach your resume, writing sample, transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties:
Under general supervision of the County Attorney, Deputy County Attorney or designee(s), assists with litigation, operational, transactional and administrative matters concerning Baltimore County Government. The Baltimore County Office of Law (OOL) seeks an Assistant County Attorney to assist with requests for information from OOL under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA). In addition, the selected Assistant County Attorney will provide legal advice to the County Attorney on sensitive and high priority matters and is responsible for drafting legal opinions of the County Attorney.

Essential Job Functions:

• Receiving MPIA and other requests to obtain information, documents, and records from OOL.
• Reviewing and analyzing MPIA requests and the records responsive to such requests.
• Consulting with OOL officials and employees about legal concerns regarding release of those records.
• Researching and evaluating data while conducting word-by-word review of documents and files that may be complex, sensitive, privileged, and lengthy.
• Determining whether the MPIA exemptions to compulsory and/or discretionary disclosure will address any concerns about release, entirely or in part.
• Handling or providing technical assistance to those engaged in, the gathering and redaction of documents responsive to MPIA inquiries.
• Creating logs where needed.
• Preparing detailed determinations, recommendations, and justifications in written correspondence.
• Reviewing and analyzing appeals from denials of access to records withheld and recommending final decision on release or non-release of records.
• Developing or advising on the development of regulations, procedural guidance, and policies on issues related to OOL and the County's compliance with the MPIA.
• Communicating in writing or orally with members of the public, the press, regarding MPIA or other legal issues.
• Performing legal research and providing oral or written advice to OOL officials and employees on MPIA, as well as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and privilege issues.
• Preparing opinions, legal memoranda, letters, and other documents for the OOL Deputies or County Attorney's signature.
• Keeping abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes and interpretations regarding laws and regulations related to MPIA or FOIA, and administrative law.
• May be tasked with prosecuting and/or defending civil appeals on behalf of the Baltimore County government in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the Maryland Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals (any Circuit), and the Supreme Court of the United States. May prepare the record and prepare any appellate briefs for any civil appeal.
• May be asked to conduct discovery in civil litigation cases, including but not limited to depositions, interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and other discovery tools.
• May be asked to attend and represents the interests of the County in any administrative proceedings, including, but not limited to hearing before tribunals, boards, commissions, the Worker's Compensation Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• May be asked to attend and represent the interests of the County in any negotiation with unions and various public and private organizations and groups.
• May be asked to draft and prepare various legal documents that are not related to litigation, including but not limited to, contracts, deeds, leases, ordinances, collection letters and reports related to real estate transactions and tax sale properties.
• May be asked to review contracts and requests for proposals and other bidding documents prepared by the Purchasing Division and Department of Public Works.
• May be asked to negotiate and document loan, grant and bond transactions for various County agencies.
• May be asked to advise the County Executive, the County Administrative Officer, County departments, offices and agencies and the County Council on legal matters, as necessary.
• Performs all other duties within the Office of Law as assigned by the County Attorney (or his/her designee).

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of the MPIA or FOIA, as well as other applicable information access laws and judicial precedent;
• Experience in analyzing records and evaluating what portions of information may be released or denied under the MPIA or FOIA; and
• Be able to review, redact and process requests that involve a large volume of documents or electronic mail.
• Strong research and writing skills and be able to: identify all legal and factual issues; identify controlling statutory, regulatory, and case authority applicable to each legal issue; prepare written work that is persuasive, thorough, well-organized, and well-reasoned and that is appropriate in length, style, and tone; prepare all written work in accordance with deadlines required by law or set by supervisors and clients.
• Graduate of an ABA accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland, or eligible to waive into the bar of the State of Maryland
• Minimum of three (3) years of legal experience (judicial clerkship may be substituted for at least one (1) year of legal experience).
• Licensed to practice in the United States District Court for Maryland and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, or eligible to become barred before those courts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Maryland Rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as the Local Rules for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local law.
• Knowledge of County best practices and procedures.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex matters.
• Communicate with exceptional oral and written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with others (inside and outside OOL).
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines while handling multiple tasks.
• Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
• A strong sense of ownership of tasks and responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills required to work with the public and various agencies.
• Strong technology skills, including the ability to coordinate and conduct electronic discovery, as well as proficiency with Microsoft Office software and legal research platforms such as Westlaw.
• A willingness to perform with minimal administrative support.
• Strong writing and drafting skills.
• The ability to handle multiple deadlines is a fast-paced environment. The applicant should also have a demonstrated ability to effectively work with the public and colleagues.

Education and Qualifications:

• A law degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Admission to the Bar of the State of Maryland is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in trial work, or legal writing, and/or municipal law and practice before Circuit and District courts; or at least 3 years of transactional experience in finance, real estate and/or contract law.

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