09/30/2010 07160

ATTORNEY 5

DEFINITION:

This is managerial and administrative legal work of the highest degree of professional and administrative responsibility.

An employee in this job may serve as a division chief in the legal office of a large agency or as a deputy chief counsel in an agency with a large and active legal office characterized by high impact legal problems, which are highly specialized and unusually difficult, and are of paramount interest to the chief counsel. This job may also be used for positions which direct the legal program for a large agency within a regional office, where legal problems are unusually difficult and complex. Supervision is exercised through supervising attorneys and includes assigning work, evaluating performance, resolving complaints and grievances, interpreting labor agreements, and ensuring staff development. Work is performed with wide latitude for independent judgment, and is subject to the general supervision of the chief counsel.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Serves as a division chief in the legal office of a large state agency or as a deputy chief counsel in an agency with a large and active legal office characterized by high impact legal problems, which are specialized and unusually difficult.

Participates in staff conferences to discuss agency policies, regulations, and legal problems.

Directs the preparation of briefs and other work associated with litigation and court work.

Manages the work of supervising attorneys.

Represents the agency in highly complex and important litigation before trial and appellate courts and in administrative proceedings.

Drafts and supervises the drafting of new legislation.

Confers with the agency head and agency decision-makers on legal matters.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of common law and state and federal laws, particularly in regard to general administrative and regulatory functions of state government.

Knowledge of judicial procedures and of the rules of evidence.

Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.

Knowledge of the methods and practices of pleading civil and criminal cases, and of effective techniques in the presentation of cases in court.

Knowledge of the principles of public administration as applied to the administration of a governmental legal program.

Ability to interpret, analyze, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and to present such material in clear and logical form, as briefs, opinions, orders, or decisions.

Ability to interpret and analyze legal documents and instruments.

Ability to interpret and draft legal instruments and proposed legislation.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effective in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Ten years of professional legal experience and graduation from an accredited school of law;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.

POST EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT:

Applicants must be certified for admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and must maintain membership on a continuous basis during employment.