What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee (Juris Doctor) - Temporary position at Marion County, Oregon?
This Assistant Legal Counsel Trainee (Juris Doctor) position is intended for a candidate who graduated from law school and expects to become an Oregon bar member by the end of 2025 (such as waiting for summer bar exam results). Upon being timely admitted to the bar, the trainee may then be considered for a regular Assistant Legal Counsel position that is scheduled to be recruited in late 2025.
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 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.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the supervision of County Counsel, who assigns work, reviews performance, and advises on unusual or difficult problems.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of others is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.
TYPICAL DUTIES
- 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.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
- Graduation from an accredited school of law; AND
- 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
- Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- 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: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.
- The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
- This assignment is not represented by a union.
- This is a full-time position, which is not eligible for overtime.
- Typical Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of legal terminology; state and federal civil law; civil procedures; trial and courtroom practices; local government operations; and administrative law.
Skill in legal research and analysis; drafting legal documents; and using computers to input, retrieve, and manage legal information.
Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and legal precedents to reach logical conclusions; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
