Assistant Legal Counsel (Underfill Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee)

Assistant Legal Counsel Position

Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.

This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. Applications will be reviewed periodically until a decision is made to close the recruitment. The first review will be May 8, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application as soon as possible as the recruitment may close at any time without further notice. Marion County's Office of Legal Counsel values a strong culture that encourages excellence, service, teamwork, initiative, and creativity. County legal work and litigation covers a wide variety of legal topics, including public safety, torts, employment, civil rights, property taxes, land use, quality of life, and pushing back on state/federal regulatory overreach. Marion County Legal Counsel is looking for an excellent attorney, preferably with litigation experience or interest. This recruitment may be filled in one of the following ways:

1. Assistant Legal Counsel level: seeking an attorney (possibly entry-level) with interest in litigation, plus meeting qualifications below.
2. Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee level: seeking someone with interest in litigation who has received, or will soon receive, a Juris Doctor degree and has taken or will take the bar exam by summer 2026. There will be flexibility for unpaid time off during summer bar exam study. A Trainee position is intended to last several months until the Trainee would be admitted to the Oregon State Bar in fall 2026, at which point the person would qualify for and apply for an Assistant Legal Counsel position. Eligibility and any future appointment will depend on admission to the Oregon State Bar and satisfactory performance as a Trainee.

Marion County will consider candidates meeting the Assistant Legal Counsel or Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee classification requirements. The level at which the successful candidate is hired will be determined by the hiring manager. Marion County serves over 350,000 residents and includes 20 incorporated cities, 37 unincorporated communities, and nearly 1,200 square miles as Oregon's leading agricultural producer. Marion County has 17 departments, over 1,600 employees, and a fiscal year 2025-26 total budget around $743 million. Legal Counsel attorneys serve as the exclusive civil lawyers and counselors for Marion County in a wide range of areas - including board of commissioners, sheriff, district attorney, clerk, assessor, treasurer, justice court, health & human services, public works, contracts, litigation, land use, parks, economic development, housing authority, utilities, waste services, community services, human resources, finance, etc. The Office of Legal Counsel supports Marion County's work to further its strategic plan goals:

• Public Safety: Pursue a safe and secure community by protecting people, property, and the economy of Marion County.
• Transportation, Infrastructure, and Emergency Management: Provide leadership that addresses the continual growth and increasing diversity of Marion County's population and focuses resources on best meeting the needs of residents and supporting business.
• Health & Community Services: Promote the overall health of people in Marion County by improving the delivery of quality health services and supporting community-based prevention efforts.
• Economic and Community Development: Support employers, businesses, and property owners that promotes economic development and high standards of livability in Marion County.
• Civil and Government Services: Provide efficient, effective, and responsive government through stewardship and accountability.

Salary: Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee: $5,843.07 - $7,834.67; Monthly; $70,116.80 - $94,016.00 Annually Assistant Legal Counsel: $9,516.00- $12.753.87 Monthly; $114,192.00 - $153,046.40 Annually

Typical Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee:
• Assist in preparing trial court litigation for limited to moderate-risk cases (e.g., tort claims, lien foreclosures, and challenges to county or state actions).
• Conduct legal research and draft legal memoranda, motions, and responses to legal documents such as subpoenas.
• Assist in providing legal advice to county departments; respond to inquiries from government bodies and the public regarding public records, county regulations, complaints, and cooperative efforts.
• Depending on certification, appear in court for gun restoration petitions, motions to quash subpoenas, code enforcement, and administrative hearings.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Higher-level classifications may include the duties of any lower-level classification within the same series and performing work in a higher or lower classification for a limited period is a requirement of all classifications.
• Perform work at various county sites; therefore, driving is a requirement of the position.
• Assistant Legal Counsel acts as legal counsel to Marion County departments and undertakes civil litigation and counsel to county departments. One hundred percent of this position's time is devoted to being a lawyer and legal counselor. The job functions may include the following:
• Prepare and conduct trial court litigation, e.g., tort claims, lien foreclosure, defending county actions, challenging state/federal actions. Represent Marion County before various administrative tribunals, in mediations, and arbitrations.
• Provides legal advice to department managers, the Board of Commissioners, and county employees. This includes telephone conferences, electronic mail, office visits, meetings, on-site visits, written opinions, seminars and training sessions.
• Undertakes research and drafts legal documents such as memoranda, legal opinions, complaints, answers, options, interrogatories, orders, pretrial orders, settlement releases, jury instructions, contracts, deeds, Board of Commissioners orders and resolutions, and others.
• Prepare and present ordinance enforcement cases, respond to and/or object to public records requests and subpoenas.
• Court appearances, witness preparation, legal research, viewing the scene of the incident, and dealing with opposing counsel and parties by telephone, electronic mail, letter and conference.
• Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Commissioners, elected officials, department heads, supervisors and employees of county government on all issues relating to county operations.
• Provides advice to County departments; responds to inquiries of other government bodies and private citizens regarding County regulations, complaints and cooperative efforts.
• Cross train in various areas of law to provide legal advice and representation to entities served by this office as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements for the Position

Experience and training requirements for Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee:

1. Graduation from an accredited school of law by the time of appointment; AND
2. Participation in an internship, clerkship, or other legal work in municipal/government issues, civil litigation, general civil law, or similar work with a government entity, law firm, trial or appellate judge, or similar; OR
3. Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.

Additional requirements for Assistant Legal Counsel:

• Must be a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar prior to the time of appointment OR eligible for admission to the Oregon State Bar through reciprocity/comity or out-of-state bar examination score.

Preferences:

• Preference will be awarded to applicants with litigation experience and interest in handling an initial workload that is focused primarily on litigation and similar matters.

Special requirements:

• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check, including finger printing; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at: .
• This assignment is not represented by a union.
• This is a full-time exempt position, which is not eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.