Assistant County Attorney

POSITION: Assistant County Attorney  

DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners 

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F 

STATUS: Full-time 

FLSA STATUS: Exempt 

To view the full job description, visit HamiltonCounty.in.gov/Jobs. Only applicants who apply directly through the employer’s website will be considered.



To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily.  The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Hamilton County provides reasonable accommodation for qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.  

Incumbent serves as Assistant County Attorney for Hamilton County Legal Department, responsible for assisting the operations of the Legal Department and providing legal counsel to Hamilton County personnel and officials concerning functions of Hamilton County government. 

DUTIES: 

Counsels County officials and personnel as needed, providing consultation on their duties as public servants, their options in respect to specific issues and considerations, and the implications and potential results of their decisions and contract provisions.  Assists with negotiating contracts and settlements and represents Hamilton County in court and/or during public meetings and hearings as needed. 

Upon the Deputy County Attorney’s request, counsels and serves as the Assistant Attorney for the Board of Commissioners of Hamilton County, Hamilton County Drainage Board, Hamilton County Solid Waste Board, Hamilton County Regional Utility District, Hamilton County Airport Authority, Hamilton County Public Building Corporation, Hamilton County Redevelopment Commission, and the Hamilton County Redevelopment Authority. 

Composes a wide variety of legal documents and correspondence for Hamilton County, including letters, memoranda, opinions, legal briefs, pleadings, contracts, policy statements, and other documents as required to provide counsel and representation to County officials and employees. 

Provides recommendations to the Deputy County Attorney for when to hire outside legal counsel and/or experts concerning legal matters. Assists with all the County’s outside legal work and legal strategies under the County Attorney’s supervision. Communicates regularly with outsourced legal counsel and provides regular reports to the Deputy County Attorney. Assist with coordinating experts concerning the County’s litigation and works closely with the appropriate County elected official and/or Department director. 

Assists with all public works, equipment, materials, and professional services procurements for the County. Assist the Deputy County Attorney with establishing procurement timelines and agreements concerning build operate transfer procurement methods and any other similar procurement methods. Counsels the County on all federal procurement rules and regulations, state and federal grants, and any federal funds provided to the County. 

Assists the appropriate County official with all real estate matters, including but not limited to right of way acquisitions, easement acquisitions, and condemnations. 

Serves as counsel, under the Deputy Count Attorney, to the Director of Human Resources. Counsels and works closely with the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (“GRC”) Division of the Legal Department for all the County’s workers compensation and other liability management matters. 

Conducts legal research as needed to investigate citizen complaints, provide proper counsel, and effectively negotiate contracts and represent Hamilton County in court.  Represents the County in judicial and administrative conferences and hearing trials and appeals, including reviewing relevant files, interviewing complainants and witnesses, preparing examination questions, preparing opening and closing statements, preparing exhibits for evidence, and negotiating settlements. 

Investigates and responds to claims, inquiries, and complaints filed by citizens regarding public nuisances, code violations, and tort actions. 

Upon the Deputy County Attorney’s request, attends meetings and provides consultation for a wide variety of County departments and agencies, including but not limited to County Council, Commissioners, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Drainage Board, Hamilton County Regional Utility District, Redevelopment Commission, and Health Board.  

Assists the Deputy County Attorney with reviewing the County Commissioners and County Council’s agendas, provides consultation on specific items as assigned by the Deputy County Attorney and prepares litigation reports, as requested. 

Confers with County officials and personnel as needed, providing consultation on their statutory and policy related duties as County employees, their options in respect to specific issues and considerations, and the implications and potential results of their decisions and contract provisions.   

Review, draft and negotiate leases, contracts, interlocal agreements and memorandums of understanding with other local municipal, county and state governmental entities. 

Composes a wide variety of legal documents and correspondence for Hamilton County, including letters, memoranda, opinions, legal briefs, pleadings, contracts, policy statements, and other documents as required to provide counsel and representation to County officials and employees. 

Conducts legal research as needed to investigate citizen tort claim notices, grievances, and lawsuits, liaison with outside counsel retained by the County’s insurance provider and represent Hamilton County in both State and Federal courts. Represents the County in judicial and administrative conferences, hearings, trials, appeals and local ordinance violations including reviewing relevant files, interviewing complainants and witnesses, preparing Complaints and responsive pleadings, discovery responses, attending and conducting depositions, preparing examination questions, assisting outside counsel in the drafting of dispositive motions, preparing opening and closing statements, preparing exhibits for evidence, and negotiating settlements. 

Investigates and responds to claims, inquiries, and complaints filed by citizens regarding public nuisances, code violations, and tort claim actions to determine validity and risk exposure. 

Assists the Deputy County Attorney with all stages of employee disciplinary processes including drafting of the Notice of Disciplinary Action form used by the County, meeting with the affected employee’s supervisor and coworkers to obtain information necessary to issue a legal opinion regarding discipline, meet with the affected employee to pronounce disciplinary sanction; defend the County’s decision in administrative hearings with Department of Workforce Development Administrative Law Judges on issues related to unemployment compensation; draft positions statements defending the County’s decision with the EEOC and, if required, defend the County in lawsuits alleging wrongful termination.  

Upon Deputy County Attorney’s request, attends meetings and provides consultation for a wide variety of County departments and agencies, including but not limited to the Board of Commissioners, Hamilton County Cemetery Commission and, on occasion, the Personnel Committee.  

Assist the County Department of Health in public nuisance actions including reviewing the case, assisting with the drafting of citations or Complaints and proceedings in Court. 

Assists County officials and departments with the drafting of ordinances and resolutions as required and then presenting the proposed legislation to the Board of Commissioners for a decision. 

Receives, reviews and responds to requests submitted by citizens pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, makes decisions as to what public records will be provided to the requesting party and drafts a responsive letter.  

Assists the Human Resource Director with amendments to the County of Hamilton, Indiana Employee Handbook. 

Attends professional development education seminars, including special training for the representation of government officials and personnel.  Attends and maintains membership in professional organizations as needed. 

Periodically attends interdepartmental meetings in the Deputy County Attorney’s absence as directed. 

Performs any and all related duties as assigned by the Deputy County Attorney. 

Completes special tasks and programs as assigned by the Deputy County Attorney. 

I.  JOB REQUIREMENTS: 

Must be a licensed attorney in State of Indiana and the U.S. District Court – Northern and Southern District of Indiana, with continuing completion of all licensing requirements. 

Thorough knowledge of all federal, state, and local laws governing County operations, with ability to effectively counsel and represent Hamilton County personnel and officials accordingly. 

Thorough knowledge or and ability to apply legal experience of a broad range of legal concerns affecting County operations and personnel, with ability to effectively predict, investigate, research, and/or resolve issues both before and after they occur. 

Practical knowledge of standard accounting practices and procedures with ability to 

read, interpret, detailed financial statements and documents. 

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements. 

Shall comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct. 

To view the full job description, visit HamiltonCounty.in.gov/Jobs. Only applicants who apply directly through the employer’s website will be considered.