Deputy County Attorney - County Attorney - Unassigned Division

Salary: $110,296.00 - $165,444.00 Annually

Location : Chattanooga, TN

Job Type: FULL TIME

Job Number: 05/12/2025 - 2208

Division: UNASSIGNED DIVISION

Department: County Attorney

Opening Date: 05/12/2025

Closing Date: 5/25/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

Under general supervision, provides legal counsel and representation to County officials, departments, and agencies. A key focus of this role will be handling civil rights litigation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, including defending the County and its employees in federal lawsuits alleging constitutional violations.

This is a Fair Labor Standards Act defined Exempt Position - Exempt positions are excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers. The employee in this position is paid a salary rather than an hourly wage for this position. FLSA does not limit the amount of work time an employer may require or expect from any exempt employee, on any schedule. Hamilton County Government expects an employee in this position to complete the work assigned regardless the amount of hours involved in completing the tasks assigned

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)

Tasks

Provide legal advice and opinions to county officials, departments, and agencies on a variety of legal issues.

Represent the county in civil rights litigation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, including cases involving allegations of excessive force, wrongful arrest, due process violations, and other constitutional claims.

Defend the county and its employees in federal and state lawsuits, handling all aspects of litigation, including pleadings, motions, discovery, depositions, trial preparation, and appeals.

Conduct legal research and draft legal memoranda, briefs, and court filings.

Assist in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.

Advise on employment and labor law matters, public records, open meetings compliance, and governmental liability.

Handle administrative proceedings and regulatory compliance issues affecting county operations.

Attend county commission meetings and other public hearings as needed.

Collaborate with state and federal agencies on legal matters affecting the county.

Perform other legal duties as assigned by the County Attorney. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

Knowledge and strong understanding of Tennessee and federal laws, particularly those related to civil rights, government liability, and municipal law.

Skill in legal research, writing, and analytics

Skill in both oral and written communication.

Skill in problem-solving and negotiation.

Ability to argue motions and present cases in court.

Ability to work independently and manage a litigation caseload.

Ability to handle high-pressure situations, meet deadlines, and effectively manage multiple priorities.

Ability to demonstrate professionalism, ethical judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive legal matters.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school is required.

Licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility at the time of application and at the time of hire.

A valid driver's license is required.

Must possess a minimum of five (5) years of litigation work experience, with a minimum of two (2) years of trial experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Direct work experience in civil litigation is required.

Demonstrated experience handling civil litigation, with a strong preference for experience in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 cases and constitutional law.

Knowledge and understanding of the of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, and appellate practice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience handling cases involving qualified immunity, Monell liability, excessive force, wrongful arrest, and due process claims is preferred.

Five (5) years of legal and/or litigation work experience with a governmental agency or municipality is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work requires a minimum to moderate amount of physical effort with intermittent typing, sitting, standing, walking, and driving. This position may require the occasional or regular lifting and carrying of up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.

All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on Holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page.

Hamilton County offers medical insurance, life insurance, paid leave, and paid holidays to Full Time and Skimp (25 hours per week) employees. Full time employees also receive Retirement.

01

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, applicants must possess:1. Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.2. A license to practice law in the State of Tennessee and in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility at the time of application and at the time of hire.3. A valid driver's license is required. 4. A minimum of five (5) years of litigation work experience, with a minimum of two (2) years of trial experience. Do you meet all of the minimum qualifications for this position?

Yes, I meet all of the minimum qualifications for this position.

I meet some of the minimum qualifications for this position.

No, I do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

02

In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicants must meet the additional requirements below:1. Have direct work experience in civil litigation.2. Have demonstrated experience handling civil litigation, with a strong preference for experience in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 cases and constitutional law.3. Have knowledge and understanding of the of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, and appellate practice.Do you meet all of these additional requirements?

Yes, I meet the additional requirements.

I meet some of the additional requirements.

No, I do not meet the additional requirements.

03

What is your highest level of education completed?

I do not have a GED or High School Diploma.

GED

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctoral Degree

04

If you indicated you possess a degree, please tell us the field of study your degree is in.

05

How many years of direct work experience do you have in litigation?

No experience

Minimal, less than one year.

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

5-6 years

6-7 years

7-8 years

8-9 years

9-10 years

10 years or more

06

How many years of trial experience do you posses?

No experience

Minimal, less than one year.

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

5-6 years

6-7 years

7-8 years

8-9 years

9-10 years

10 years or more

07

How many years of direct work experience do you have in legal and/or litigation with a governmental agency or municipality?**Preferred but not required

No experience

Minimal, less than one year.

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

5-6 years

6-7 years

7-8 years

8-9 years

9-10 years

10 years or more

08

Do you have direct work experience that required you to provide legal advice and opinions to County officials, departments, and agencies on a variety of legal issues?

Yes

No

09

Do you have direct work experience that required you to attend commission meetings and other public hearings as needed?

Yes

No

10

Do you have direct work experience that required you to handle cases involving qualified immunity, Monell liability, excessive force, wrongful arrest, and due process claims?**Preferred but not required

Yes

No

11

Are you fluent in both English and Spanish? This is not a requirement for the position.

Yes

No

12

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

Yes

No

13

Have you ever served in the United States Armed Forces?

Yes

No

14

The answers you provide in the "Supplemental Question" portion of the application will be used to review/process your application. Once this job posting closes, your answers to the supplemental questions cannot be changed. Have you reviewed your answers and verified they are correct?

Yes

No

Required Question