Assistant General Counsel

Description:

The LVMPD is an EEO employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.

Position Description:
This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.*

Definition:
This position serves as an Assistant General Counsel within the LVMPD Office of General Counsel, supporting a major metropolitan police department. In this role, you will provide comprehensive legal support to a complex, high-responsibility public safety organization with daily advisory needs, ongoing civil litigation, criminal-related legal issues, and constitutional challenges. This is a unique and demanding opportunity to lead legal efforts, advise law enforcement professionals, assist with criminal and civil matters, and strengthen legal and organizational processes that directly impact how justice is carried out in the field.

This position blends civil litigation, criminal law advisory work, and operational legal support. You will handle court appearances related to subpoenas, motion hearings, criminal discovery disputes, forfeitures, and other legal proceedings. You will provide day-to-day guidance to command staff and officers; interpret case law for internal use; develop and revise policies and procedures; support training efforts; and supervise outside counsel when appropriate. Success in this role requires the ability to quickly understand internal operations, respond confidently under pressure, and deliver actionable guidance to the department.

Essential Functions for the Forfeiture Section Assistant General Counsel

Essential functions and other responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Civil Litigation, Criminal Law Support, and Legal Representation

• Handle court appearances involving subpoenas, discovery motions, and related civil and criminal matters.
• Draft, review, and argue motions; respond to legal process; supervise outside counsel where appropriate.
• Advise on legal strategy and manage matters from initiation through resolution.

Legal Advice and Counsel

• Provide legal counsel to command staff and officers on constitutional, criminal, operational, and risk-related matters.
• Analyze and apply federal and state constitutional principles in an internal advisory context.
• Interpret case law and incorporate legal developments into internal guidance, training, and policy updates.
• Ensure legal compliance with departmental policy, criminal procedure, and applicable laws and regulations.

Policy, Procedures, Process, and Compliance

• Develop, draft, review, and revise department policies, procedures, manuals, and internal guidance documents.
• Rapidly learn and apply LVMPD policies, procedures, customs, and operational practices.
• Assist in improving internal legal workflows to ensure responsiveness and efficiency.
• Monitor trends in litigation and criminal law and contribute to risk-mitigation strategies.

Collaboration, Legislative and Organizational Support

• Work closely with command staff and officers to ensure consistent and reliable legal services.
• Collaborate with the internal government affairs section on legislative issues, including proposed laws and regulatory changes affecting the department.
• Support training efforts related to criminal law, constitutional law, policy compliance, and legislative developments.
• Work with the Public Information Office (PIO) to ensure legally accurate and appropriate communication in media responses, press releases, and public messaging.

Communication and Documentation

• Produce clear, concise, and actionable legal memoranda and correspondence.
• Communicate complex legal issues simply and directly to non-lawyer audiences.
• Maintain documentation necessary for legal defensibility, transparency, and internal accountability.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This position serves at the pleasure of the Sheriff and is not subject to the competitive requirements of the Civil Service Rules of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Click here to view a complete copy of the job description, including environmental and physical conditions. (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lvmpd/classspecs/1082030?keywords=assistant%20general%20counsel&pagetype=classSpecifications)
 
Minimum Qualifications/Position-Specific Conditions
Best Candidates Will Have

• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• A license and be in good standing to practice law in the State of Nevada.
• A minimum of 3 years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience in criminal law, criminal procedure, or advising law enforcement or justice system professionals.
• Strong problem-solving skills with consistent ownership and follow-through.
• The ability to effectively brief command staff on complex legal and operational matters, using common-sense judgment and plain language to support informed decision-making.
• The ability to work in an organizational structure with clear chains of command.

Preferred but not required:

• Government or public sector experience.
• Familiarity with internal operations of a public safety or law enforcement agency.
• Experience drafting and implementing policies, procedures, or operational manuals.

Conditions of Employment:
In addition to the General Conditions of Employment found here, the following specific conditions of employment apply to this position:

• Be a citizen/naturalized citizen or permanent resident alien without conditions on status of the United States of America by the closing date of the announcement.
• Be at least 18 years old by the closing date of the announcement.
• Participate in the LVMPD Mental Wellness Program.
• Personal Appearance: While on duty, and/or representing the Department, uniformed or otherwise, all Department employees will be neat and clean in their appearance in public. Employees are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles or jewelry on or through the nose, tongue, eyebrow or other exposed body part, except the ears for females, while on duty. Employees are prohibited from stretching or "gauging" their earlobes. All jewelry implants will not be exposed or visible while on duty. Tattoos or branding will not be exposed or visible while on duty and/or representing the Department. Such markings must be covered by clothing. Markings that cannot be covered by clothing will be covered using neutral-toned bandages or patches except for hands, neck, head, or face tattoos. Makeup is not permissible to cover a tattoo. Tattoos or branding anywhere on the body that promote racism/discrimination, indecency, extremist or supremacist philosophies, lawlessness, violence, or contain sexually explicit material are prohibited.
• Typical office environment, with exposure to computer screens; may be required to work in a variety of work schedules including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
• Must successfully complete a thorough background investigation ad polygraph examination.

Why This Role Matters
You will shape how law enforcement applies the law and serves the public by advising on legal issues, supporting litigation, working on legislative matters, and strengthening internal systems. This position provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on police operations.

Why join us:

• Contribute to meaningful, high-impact legal work that shapes day-to-day policing practices and legislative engagement.
• Lead legal improvement efforts and develop a strong public service career.

Selection Process: