General Counsel

General Job InformationJOB SUMMARYThis is a standard position description to be used in any agency within the District of Columbia. As General Counsel, the incumbent serves as the chief legal officer and authoritative legal advisor for the Department/Agency. The General Counsel is responsible for managing the agency's legal affairs and managing the staff assigned to perform legal work. The overall function is to provide comprehensive legal service, counsel, recommendations, reviews, and opinions regarding all functions and activities, both programmatic and administrative.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESServes as senior level advisor to the Director/Agency Head in planning and policy decision-making; implementing, coordinating, and directing the legal affairs for the agency, designed to facilitate and improve legal service delivery to its clientele.Develops and institutes program guidelines, new and improved policies, procedures, and processes to effect efficient program operations.Independently plans, develops, and institutes short/long term agency plans and activities, incorporating strategic provisions as required.Oversees the review, research, and preparation of responses for the Director to select sensitive, often confidential inquiries and correspondence from the Mayor, members of the Council of the District of Columbia, officials of the District and Federal governments, media, and those surrounding jurisdiction, members of the private sector, and general public.Prepares testimony for presentation at public hearings before the Council of the District of Columbia, congressional committees, and other public appearances.Prepares legal documents on complex and substantive matters of an urgent nature, providing summary analysis of issues and recommendations for consideration of the Director/Agency Head.Conducts extensive and detailed research of legal documents dealing with proposed laws and amendments to existing laws to assure conformance with legal requirements.Drafts and justifies the annual budget and multi-year plan to make the best use of available resources; implements the most cost-effective and beneficial strategies to accomplish the mission of the Department/Agency, and assures that a system for reporting and accountability is established and implemented.Plans, coordinates, and administers operations of legal affairs through subordinate attorneys and reviews their work for quality and consistency.Devises and implements feedback systems, performance measures, and benchmarks to assure adequate performance and successful goal achievements.Identifies barriers to quality legal services, designs effective strategies to resolve issues, and implements corrective actions.Devises a system of controls and keeps carefully documented records.Plans, develops, and directs the design and implementation of the data automation systems for the management and administration of legal affairs.Formulates and guides feasibility studies to consider data automation applications.Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise legal staff.Performs other related duties as assigned.QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATIONJuris Doctor (JD) plus a minimum of eight (8) years professional legal experience. Incumbent must be a graduate from a law school approved by the American Bar Association, and an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar and shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.WORKING CONDITIONSWork is performed within an office setting.

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