Louisa County
TITLE: COUNTY ATTORNEY        CODE: 1600

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SUMMARY:

Reporting directly to and responsible to the Board of Supervisors, the County Attorney performs complex legal work including civil litigation, review and preparation of legal documents including ordinances, and legal opinions; advises boards, commissions and staff on legal issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advises the Department of Community Development on land use issues. Assists in drafting and enforcing the County Zoning Ordinance and the County Subdivision Ordinance. Assists with enforcement of the State building code.
• Studies court decisions, and recommends changes in wording of policies to conform with law or to protect county from unwarranted claims.
• Advises department heads of legality of claims filed on county to insure against undue payments.
• Advise personnel engaged in drawing up of legal documents, such as insurance contracts, purchasing agreements, leases, and release papers.
• Gathers and analyzes evidence in cases and reviews pertinent decisions, policies, regulations, and other legal matters pertaining to case.
• Presents evidence in legal proceedings.
• Appears in court of law and presents evidence before Judge or other judiciary, and jury.
• Draws up legal documents covering purchase and sale of land, and oil, gas, and mineral rights, drafts deeds and affidavits, and presents other evidence to meet legal requirements of documents.
• Examines instruments and opinions prepared by other attorneys and advises officials of county as to legal requirements in connection with titles.
• Searches for and examines public records and writes opinions on titles.
• Prepares cases for trial and tries or assists in trial of lawsuit involving titles to land, and gas, oil, and mineral rights, and other legal issues.
• Advises Board of Supervisors and at their discretion also advises other department and agency heads on all matters of local government from a legal perspective.
• Prepares opinions on tax liability resulting from prospective and past transactions.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Board of Supervisors.

Equipment, tools and work aids used in performing the essential functions of the position:

PC Computer, Charts, Previous Court Decisions, Reference Books, Statute Books

Working Conditions and environmental hazards generally associated with the performance of the essential functions of the position:

Employee is Subject to Inside Environmental Conditions: Protection from weather conditions. No environmental hazards indicated for this classification.

Strength requirement associated with the essential functions of the position:

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The position requires a comprehensive knowledge of general and governmental law and of State and County laws and federal laws and regulations in their relationship to the authority and functions of County departments. The position also requires the ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles and knowledge of complex legal problems along with sound professional judgment, and excellent research and writing skills. In addition, the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public officials and the general public is essential.

Training and Education:

The position requires a Juris Doctor from an accredited school of law and 5-7 years of experience. Must also be licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.