Legal Associate
The Portage County Corp Counsel office has a full time Legal Associate opening!
What are the minimum qualifications?
Perform and manage daily functions of the office, including payroll reports, accounts payable and budget preparation, record-keeping, administrative assistance and clerical assistance.
Serve as an administrative and legal assistant for the corporation counsel department, make referrals, schedule appointments and meetings, and furnish appropriate information to the public and county personnel. Respond to questions and provide information to the public, walk-in clients, and other county personnel relating to their individual questions and matters.
Prepare mental/alcohol commitment cases for prosecution by attorneys. Review Statements of Emergency Detention submitted by law enforcement; prepare hearing notices and arrange for timely service of subpoenas and other required documents; communicate with court personnel to schedule court hearings; arrange for appointment of defense counsel when necessary; confer with witnesses, mental health professionals, health care providers, law enforcement officers and social workers to obtain recommendations and testimony for case preparation; provide all requested/required evidence and documentation for prosecution of the case to the responsible attorney handling the case; prepare case file and review with responsible attorney in preparation for court hearings; attend hearings and court proceedings as requested by responsible attorney; draft orders for commitment, recommitment or dismissal following court hearings.
Prepare guardianship and protective placement cases for prosecution by attorneys. Draft petitions and related documents; prepare hearing notices and arrange for timely service of subpoenas and other required documents; communicate with court personnel to schedule court hearings; arrange for appointment of guardians ad litem; confer with witnesses, mental health professionals, health care providers, law enforcement officers and social workers to obtain recommendations and testimony for case preparation; provide all requested/required evidence and documentation for prosecution of the case to the responsible attorney handling the case; prepare case file and review with responsible attorney in preparation for court hearings; attend hearings and court proceedings as requested by responsible attorney; draft Determination and Order, Letters of Guardianship, and all other necessary pleadings related to guardianship and protective placement cases.
Prepare CHIPS (Children in need of Protective Services) and TPR (Termination of Parental Rights) cases for prosecution by attorneys. Draft petitions and related documents; prepare hearing notices and arrange for timely service of subpoenas and other required documents; communicate with court personnel to schedule court hearings; confer with social workers to obtain recommendations and testimony for case preparation; schedule depositions; prepare discovery requests (interrogatories, requests for production of documents and requests for admissions); arrange for timely response to defense attorneys’ discovery requests; serve as the primary liaison among the corporation counsel office, defense attorneys and guardians ad litem; provide all requested/required evidence and documentation for prosecution of the case to the responsible attorney handling the case; prepare case file and review with responsible attorney in preparation for court hearings; draft Orders Concerning Termination of Parental Rights following court hearings. Manage the corporation counsel attorney time logs for billing and reimbursement of child support, CHIPS and TPR cases as contracted.
Monitor and assist with document preparation and processing of Planning & Zoning Department litigation and administrative hearing matters. This includes drafting and reviewing enforcement letters, pleadings, and memoranda as well as filing and serving documents related to these matters. This also involves communicating with attorneys, witnesses, consultants, county employees, and, others about these matters.
Monitor and assist with document preparation and processing of claims and litigation in which the county is involved. This includes drafting and reviewing of letters, pleadings, contracts, and memoranda, as well as filing and serving documents related to these matters. This also involves communicating with attorneys, witnesses, consultants, county employees, and others about these matters.
Assist in the preparation of annual budget data and projections; compile and summarize confidential information and materials for corporation counsel cases. Occasionally, manage and assist with TRIP (Tax Refund Intercept Program) accounts and the judgment collection process on corporation counsel cases.
Assist corporation counsel attorneys in providing legal services for all Portage County department and employee matters the corporation counsel’s office is responsible for handling.
What are the minimum qualifications?
High School diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree or similar educational program training in paralegal, legal assistant, or executive level office assistant program preferred.
Work experience involving legal assistant, paralegal, law office, and/or analytical administrative assistant tasks also strongly preferred.
Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle for business related travel.
Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.
Any other combination of training and experience that the department head determines satisfies the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform duties
Portage County offers a robust benefit package for permanent employees working at least 20 hours/week. Benefits include;
– State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan
– Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with the High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
– EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) Paid by the County
– Vacation
– Paid holidays
– Sick pay
– Flexible spending account
– Life insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hours/week)
– Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hours/week)
– Dental insurance
– 457B Deferred Compensation Plan
Portage County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
TO APPLY: https://www.co.portage.wi.us/
Deadline Note: 1st review of applications will be 2/19/21
