Assistant Legal Counsel

Overview Perform a variety of complex civil and criminal legal services within the Legal Office at the Sheriff’s Office. Responsibilities Act as lead counsel during litigation and prosecution/defense of civil actions on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office in state and federal courts, attending court proceedings and keeping the Sheriff and command staff informed of the progress and outcome of such matters. Accurately review a variety of legal matters including personal injury and other civil litigation matters, contracts, agency liability issues, general orders, policy and procedures, public records requests, federal litigation, appellate matters, and labor and employment issues. Advise the Sheriff and staff on all legal issues involving the Sheriff’s Office. Assist command staff with decision making on issues where no guidelines or policies exist by researching and analyzing issues/problems and providing valid and defensible legal opinions and information in both oral and written formats to assist in arriving at the most appropriate decision consistent with agency vision, mission, goals, and the law. Research topics or incidents and related documentation/case histories and render legal opinions consistent with applicable laws, policies, procedures, or regulations to authorized members of the agency regarding personnel issues, training, corrections, fiscal, civil process, law enforcement and/or other appropriate issues. Research and compare current policies and procedures with federal and state law, identify any inconsistencies, and recommend changes where applicable. Prepare and review contracts for completeness, accuracy, state statute compliance, and/or conformance with bidding specifications, purchasing guidelines, and governmental agency regulations sending non-compliant and/or deficient contracts back to the originator for revision and further review as appropriate. Accurately interpret contracts to ensure the interests of the Sheriff’s Office are legally protected. Effectively monitor existing contracts and participate in contract negotiations to ensure all contractual obligations and specifications are met and in accordance with agency policies and procedures and any other applicable laws or regulations. Review and respond to public records requests in a timely manner gathering all pertinent data, redacting statutorily designated non-releasable information, and providing accurate and sound legal opinions that are consistent with the public records law and other appropriate legislation, policies, and procedures. Prepare accurate and informative legislative summaries containing the key points of the legislation and the potential agency impact. Coordinate with the appropriate subject matter expert or legal personnel and prepare comprehensive, timely, accurate proposed new or revised legislation for processing and/or review as required. Accept, sign for, and review, in a timely manner, any legal documents received by the Sheriff’s Office; coordinates any legal documents and/or actions received by the Sheriff’s Office. Coordinate, investigate, and/or copy requests by attorneys for any legal documents and/or actions for the Sheriff’s Office. Review seizures of currency, tangible personal property, vehicles, and real property under state and federal forfeiture laws for legal sufficiency. Litigate forfeiture actions taken by the Sheriff’s Office, attend hearings on forfeiture actions, and keep the Sheriff and command staff informed of forfeiture actions taken by the Sheriff’s Office. Successfully complete all assignments to specifications, within specified timeframe and budget as directed and in accordance with agency policies and regulations. Be available on a twenty four hour basis to respond to field situations having potential civil liability and initiate investigations to protect the interest of the Sheriff and/or Hillsborough County. Perform other related duties as required. Qualifications A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution of higher education. Five years of experience as an attorney. Be a member of the Florida Bar in good standing. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Plant City