Deputy General Counsel

Description:

General Summary:
The Deputy General Counsel performs legal work at the highest and most complex level. Supervise and coaches attorneys and paralegals in the General Counsel's Office (GCO) and provides managerial and strategic support to the General Counsel. Represents A Government Entity Water in litigation and non-litigation matters involving multiple areas of the law. The Deputy General Counsel serves as acting General Counsel in the absence of the General Counsel and assists the General Counsel as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Supervises, coaches, and advises the Paralegals, Claims Section Manager, and Associate General Counsels I and II; responsibilities include selecting or recommending selection, training, assigning and evaluating work, counseling, disciplining, and/or recommending termination
• Assists in the preparation and presentation of departmental budget, assessments, goals, and action items, as needed
• Assists the General Counsel in all aspects of management and administration of the General Counsel's Office
• Prepares and processes briefs, pleadings, opinions, legal memoranda, agreements, and other legal documents
• Represents the Commission, as required, in federal and state court, and at hearings, conferences, and other proceedings before federal, state, and local agencies and governing bodies
• Provides high-level representation and counsel in all types of legal transactions involving A Government Entity Water business
• Serves as senior attorney in general litigation matters, including cases involving federal laws or agencies
• Serves as Counsel to WSSC Water's Boards
• Reviews and drafts, if needed, A Government Entity Water regulations and standard operating procedures
• Researches and prepares major legal opinions for final review by the General Counsel
• Responsible for assigning litigation and non-litigation assignments to GCO attorneys
• Drives a vehicle to conduct A Government Entity Water business

Other Functions:

• Provides guidance and mentoring to other GCO attorneys, as needed
• Networks with counterparts in law departments of county governments, bi-county state agencies, and other state and local entities and governing bodies
• Participates in outreach endeavors to help educate and train A Government Entity Water staff regarding the legal consequences of their actions
• Serves as Acting General Counsel in the General Counsel's absence
• Performs related duties as assigned

Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Work is performed in a business casual office environment

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated skill in coordinating and managing departmental activities
• Demonstrated ability to represent public bodies and serve as principal legal officer at Commission meetings, work sessions, and executive sessions, as needed
• Demonstrated ability to work with senior management and public officials on a one-on-one basis
• General knowledge of governmental laws such as public information, tort law, condemnation law, labor and employment law, etc.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of substantive and procedural law and methods, sources of information and materials of legal research
• Ability to supervise attorneys and staff
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with governmental officials, agency heads, other lawyers, and members of the public
• Demonstrated knowledge of attorney/client privilege and ability to hold sensitive matters in the strictest of confidence

Minimum Education, Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school
• 15+ years of professional legal experience
• 3+ years of management experience that includes employee supervision

Additional Requirements:

• Currently admitted to the Maryland Bar
• Capable of obtaining admission to the Bars of the Maryland Federal District Court and the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Possession of a valid driver's license with no more than 4 points and ability to obtain a A Government Entity Water driver's license within 90 days of hire or transfer
• Completion of the A Government Entity Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter
  

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