Assistant County Counsel - Municipal Civil Litigation
County of Ventura, Ventura, CA, United States
Description
The County Counsel's Office provides legal advice and representation to County departments, agencies, officials, and employees in all civil law matters. The Office is distinct from the District Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office. The Counsel employs approximately 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel.
Benefits
Annual Leave – 208 hours per year, increasing to 288.08 hours after 5 years, 296.14 after 10 years, and 304.20 after 15 years.
Annual Leave Redemption – up to 100 hours per year, increasing to 200 hours in 2027.
Deferred Compensation – participation in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan; up to a 3% match on contributions, with an additional 2% non‑elective contribution after five years of continuous service.
Health Plans – flexible credit allowance up to $26,626 annually for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts – pre‑tax reimbursements for approved dependent care and health care expenses.
Life Insurance – term policy of $50,000 during County employment.
Pension Plan – contributions from the County and the employee to the County's Retirement Plan and Social Security; option to establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as PERS.
Holidays – 13 paid days per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.
Additional Benefits – professional membership, disability plans, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, wellness program.
About the Department
The County Counsel’s Office includes line‑assigned attorneys with classifications as Civil Attorney I/II/III and Senior Civil Attorney. Five positions are dedicated to management, including the County Counsel.
Position Overview
An Assistant County Counsel position is available in the Civil Attorney II, Civil Attorney III, or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending on experience. This municipal civil litigation role represents the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as administrative legal proceedings.
Duties
Represent client agencies, officials, and employees in civil hearings, trials, appellate hearings, administrative hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions.
Formulate and collaborate with County Counsel management and County officials on litigation objectives and strategy.
Prepare litigation documents: complaints, answers, demurrers/motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, other motions, appellate briefs, stipulations, discovery requests and responses, trial and arbitration briefs, motions in limine, jury instructions, and settlement agreements.
Prepare legal opinions and memoranda on litigation matters.
Verbally advise and counsel the Board of Supervisors, department heads, and other County officials and employees on all aspects of civil litigation.
Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications
All applicants must graduate from law school and hold active membership in the State Bar of California.
Experience
Civil Attorney II – minimum two (2) years of professional legal experience.
Civil Attorney III – minimum four (4) years of professional legal experience.
Senior Civil Attorney – minimum six (6) years of professional legal experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
General knowledge of municipal laws: employment law, constitutional law, civil rights, writs of mandate, Public Records Act, dangerous condition of public property, inverse condemnation, code enforcement, public works and contracting, probate, conservatorship, LPS matters, CARE court matters.
Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal rules of civil procedure, discovery, evidence, professional conduct, and legal research and writing.
Analytical and research skills: analyze complex claims, develop litigation strategies, present arguments persuasively orally and in writing, manage discovery, draft pleadings, briefs, and advisory memoranda.
Restrictions and Requirements
The County of Ventura Personnel Rules prohibit County attorneys from engaging in private practice for compensation. Assistant County Counsels must file a financial disclosure statement within thirty (30) days of appointment and annually thereafter.
Salary
Civil Attorney II: $124,538.38 – $174,353.73
Civil Attorney III: $153,234.00 – $214,527.63
Senior Civil Attorney: $178,096.92 – $249,360.11
Job Status
Position is open as of April 22, 2026 with continuous closing.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex, and sexual orientation.
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The County Counsel's Office provides legal advice and representation to County departments, agencies, officials, and employees in all civil law matters. The Office is distinct from the District Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office. The Counsel employs approximately 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel.
Benefits
Annual Leave – 208 hours per year, increasing to 288.08 hours after 5 years, 296.14 after 10 years, and 304.20 after 15 years.
Annual Leave Redemption – up to 100 hours per year, increasing to 200 hours in 2027.
Deferred Compensation – participation in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan; up to a 3% match on contributions, with an additional 2% non‑elective contribution after five years of continuous service.
Health Plans – flexible credit allowance up to $26,626 annually for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts – pre‑tax reimbursements for approved dependent care and health care expenses.
Life Insurance – term policy of $50,000 during County employment.
Pension Plan – contributions from the County and the employee to the County's Retirement Plan and Social Security; option to establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as PERS.
Holidays – 13 paid days per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.
Additional Benefits – professional membership, disability plans, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, wellness program.
About the Department
The County Counsel’s Office includes line‑assigned attorneys with classifications as Civil Attorney I/II/III and Senior Civil Attorney. Five positions are dedicated to management, including the County Counsel.
Position Overview
An Assistant County Counsel position is available in the Civil Attorney II, Civil Attorney III, or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending on experience. This municipal civil litigation role represents the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as administrative legal proceedings.
Duties
Represent client agencies, officials, and employees in civil hearings, trials, appellate hearings, administrative hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions.
Formulate and collaborate with County Counsel management and County officials on litigation objectives and strategy.
Prepare litigation documents: complaints, answers, demurrers/motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, other motions, appellate briefs, stipulations, discovery requests and responses, trial and arbitration briefs, motions in limine, jury instructions, and settlement agreements.
Prepare legal opinions and memoranda on litigation matters.
Verbally advise and counsel the Board of Supervisors, department heads, and other County officials and employees on all aspects of civil litigation.
Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications
All applicants must graduate from law school and hold active membership in the State Bar of California.
Experience
Civil Attorney II – minimum two (2) years of professional legal experience.
Civil Attorney III – minimum four (4) years of professional legal experience.
Senior Civil Attorney – minimum six (6) years of professional legal experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
General knowledge of municipal laws: employment law, constitutional law, civil rights, writs of mandate, Public Records Act, dangerous condition of public property, inverse condemnation, code enforcement, public works and contracting, probate, conservatorship, LPS matters, CARE court matters.
Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal rules of civil procedure, discovery, evidence, professional conduct, and legal research and writing.
Analytical and research skills: analyze complex claims, develop litigation strategies, present arguments persuasively orally and in writing, manage discovery, draft pleadings, briefs, and advisory memoranda.
Restrictions and Requirements
The County of Ventura Personnel Rules prohibit County attorneys from engaging in private practice for compensation. Assistant County Counsels must file a financial disclosure statement within thirty (30) days of appointment and annually thereafter.
Salary
Civil Attorney II: $124,538.38 – $174,353.73
Civil Attorney III: $153,234.00 – $214,527.63
Senior Civil Attorney: $178,096.92 – $249,360.11
Job Status
Position is open as of April 22, 2026 with continuous closing.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex, and sexual orientation.
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