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Chief Litigation Counsel |
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Pay Grade:
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MC29
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FLSA Status:
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Exempt
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Monthly Salary Range:
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$9,430 - $12,040
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Annualized Salary Range:
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$113,160 - $144,480
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Authorized:
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8/2006
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Revised:
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/
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Job Summary
Under direction from Chief Legal Counsel, this position has a wide range of executive responsibilities for managing and conducting litigation services to initiate and defend legal actions on behalf of the District. Incumbent will represent the District in tort and other selected civil litigation, including labor arbitrations, in state or federal court.
Supervision
Supervision Received: The employee has broad management responsibility for a large program or set of related functions. Direction is usually received in terms of goals; review is received in terms of results.
Supervision Exercised: This class provides direct and/or indirect supervision to lower level litigation personnel.
Distinguishing Characteristics
N/A
Essential Functions
Civil and Tort Litigation
Manage and conduct active litigation through alternative dispute resolution, discovery, trial, and post-trial matters in an attempt to avoid litigation. Recommend, direct, and monitor litigation assigned to outside counsel for representation of the District. Attend Board of Directors meetings to advise of pending litigation issues, provide consultation and advice for specific litigation matters, and address general litigation-related questions as needed. Develop strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of cases. Interpret laws, rules, and regulations for the District. Conduct research and prepare legal documents for the Board of Directors and District management staff.
Supervisory/Administrative
Plan, organize, and direct all in-house litigation. Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and administer disciplinary action to litigation professional and support staff. Establish litigation priorities and direct the work activities of the litigation professional and support staff. Review work of subordinate staff to ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness.
Other Job Functions
Assist with District real estate acquisitions and business transactions. Assist with District legislative interests regarding public entity tort liability, eminent domain, relocation assistance, insurance, labor, and public contract law. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Job Demands
Physical and Mental Requirements:
Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods; 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
Required Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of civil, constitutional, tort, employment, and administrative law.
Litigation and arbitration procedures and rules of evidence pertaining to state and federal court.
Principles, methods, and practices of legal research.
Labor relations and negotiations.
Policies, operations, procedures, and functions of the District.
Principles and methods of supervision.
Precedents and legal decisions pertaining to public entity tort liability, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, insurance, labor and public contract law.
Statutes and decisional law applicable to civil proceedings and claims
Required Ability to:
Assign, coordinate, and supervise the work of others.
Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal issues.
Advise and counsel District staff.
Draft legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, statutes, and contracts.
Prepare, present, and conduct legal arguments and appeals at trials and hearings.
State facts, law, and legal arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Effectively use and provide training in legal research methods.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with District staff, representatives of other governmental agencies, union officials, and the general public.
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:
Required Prior Experience:
Seven years of broad and extensive experience as a practicing attorney, with an emphasis in tort litigation, and at least three years of significant California public entity tort litigation. Experience working for a public transit agency is desirable.
Required Education: Juris Doctor from an accredited school of law.
Special Requirements: Active membership, in good standing, with the California State Bar.
