Job & Business Opportunities

Job Summary

This classification is primarily responsible for performing either litigation or transactional law as assigned by the Chief Legal Counsel. This is the entry level within this series and is typically the trainee level. Work mainly involves the gathering and interpretation of data, dealing with problems and unexpected situations, which includes making recommendations for alternative solutions.

Litigation Emphasis: District litigation and defense, and legal advisory.

Transaction Emphasis: Drafting agreements for goods, services, construction projects, and real property transactions; labor and personnel; and legal advisory.

Supervision

Supervision Received
This is the entry level in the attorney series with incumbent performing under direct supervision. Incumbent is expected to perform essential functions while learning the procedures and policies of the District and the practice of public law.

Supervision Exercised
This class does not supervise.

Distinguishing Characteristics

N/A

Essential Functions

A. RT Defense
Duties may include:
Draft complaints and responsive pleadings. Propound and respond to written discovery and take and defend depositions. Communicate with clients and opposing counsel. Draft arbitration briefs and attend arbitration hearings. Supervise assignments given to assigned staff. As assigned by supervisor, perform additional tasks in support of litigated cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000 and try cases in which the amount in controversy is less than $25,000. Other related duties as assigned.

B. Legal Research
Duties may include:
Receive assignments or identify legal issues to research. Discuss issues with supervisor. Use computer programs and printed resources to conduct legal research, analyze legal issues, and draft memoranda and opinions. Review, interpret, and summarize medical and employment records. Conduct site inspections. Work with paralegal staff and private investigator in identifying, contacting, and interviewing witnesses. Identify and interview District employees with knowledge relevant to cases in litigation. Prepare and collect documents and other evidence. Other related duties as assigned.

C. Advisory Duties
Duties may include:
Consult with and make recommendations to District staff regarding litigated matters in which the amount in controversy is less than $25,000. Other related duties as assigned.

Transactional Emphasis
A. Drafting
Duties may include:
Under direct supervision, assists in the preparation of legal documents such as contracts, resolutions, and ordinances. Drafts documents for real property transactions such as purchase and sale agreements, grant deeds, easements, and leases. Reviews and edits requests for proposals, invitations to bid, solicitation letters. Reviews and edits terms, conditions, and specifications for construction contracts, procurements, professional and non-professional service contracts. Reviews, edits, and provides advice regarding environmental documents prepared for RT projects. Other related duties as assigned.

B. Research
Duties may include:
Receive assignments and identify legal issues to research. Discuss issues with supervisor. Interpret state and federal legislative statutes, regulations, and case law. Use computer programs and printed resources to conduct legal research, analyze legal issues. Other related duties as assigned.

C. Advisory
Duties may include:
Draft memoranda and opinions. May attend Board meetings and provide assistance to other District staff and performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Demands

Physical and Mental Requirements:
Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.
Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.
Vision: constraint use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth version.
Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: None noted

Knowledge and Abilities

A. Required Knowledge of:
Computer-based legal research software.
Methods of legal research.
Rules of professional responsibility.
Principles and practices of civil, constitutional and public agency law.

Litigation Emphasis
Principles and practices of tort law.
Rules of discovery and evidence.

Transaction Emphasis
Principles and practices of contract and property law.

B. Required Ability to:
Reach legally supported conclusions on issues for which there does not appear to be a clearly statued rule or precedent.
Litigation Emphasis
Identify and investigate questions of fact and law.
Resolve differences of opinion with opposing counsel regarding such issues as procedure, substantive law, and calendaring.
Locate witnesses.
Interpret medical and employment records.
Estimate reasonable value of cases in which ultimate outcome at trial is in doubt.

Transactional Emphasis
Identify material terms and principles applicable to various types of commercial transactions.
Resolve difference of opinion with opposing counsel regarding such issues as risk of loss, indemnification, insurance coverage, and bonding.

C. Required Computer Skills:
Common word processing software.
Common spreadsheet software.
Common database applications.
ERMS software concepts.
Email, contact management, and scheduling software.

Minimum Qualifications — Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

A. Required Prior Experience
None.

B. Required Education
Juris Doctor degree and active membership in the California State Bar.