Description

The Director of Legal Services serves as the principal legal services coordinator and advisor for all of Ottawa County government including all boards, commissions, departments, offices of its elected officials, funding and other budgetary centers (collectively, the “County Operations”). The Director is appointed by and serves under the County Administrator’s general direction. For all County Operations, the Director oversees and assists the attorneys hired in civil litigation; monitors performance of outside attorneys hired to provide specialized services; drafts legal documents, including real estate interests, contracts, regulations and ordinances; researches legal questions and provides legal advice; and is available for counsel. This is a non-political position, and to engender the trust and confidence of all county officials, the Director of Legal Services should maintain his/her independence, avoid involvement in local or county political activities or campaigns, and adhere to the highest ethical standards.

This is a full-time, benefitted position working out of the County Administration building located at 12220 Fillmore, West Olive, MI 49424. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, however some evening meetings are required.

Requirements

Preferred Education, Training and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law combined with a minimum four (4) years of relevant experience in municipal law and/or public service.
• A member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan.
• Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree in Public Administration.
• Three (3) years of experience serving in leadership or management role over professional legal staff.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough working knowledge of civil procedure and legal method.
• Thorough working knowledge of constitutional law, contract law, property law and tort law.
• Thorough working knowledge of legal writing and legal research methods and resources.
• Thorough working knowledge of administrative law and municipal law.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Constitution of the State of Michigan.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of legal brief preparation.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules and requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Working knowledge of budget development and administration practices and principles.
• Excellent oral argument skills.
• Well-developed negotiating skills.
• Thorough working knowledge of the American Bar Association canon of ethics and standards of professional practice.
• Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with County, state and local unit elected officials, executives, and administrators, employees, community and business representatives, and members of the public with widely divergent socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and varying levels of communication skills and analytical knowledge and sophistication.