ATTORNEY 2 L0406

Definition: This is responsible professional work at the journeyman level.

An employee in this class is responsible for rendering legal services and supplying legal advice on matters affecting county agencies.

Work is at the full professional performance level, although usually performed within a specific field of law, and requires the application of judgment and technical proficiency in the completion of assignments. Employees in this class who are assigned to operating agencies may be in charge of legal work for an agency unit having legal problems of a routine nature or they may act as assistant counsel in an agency characterized by a variety of moderately difficult legal problems. Difficulty of legal problems encountered ranges from moderately to considerably complex. Employees ordinarily work with independence in conducting necessary legal research preliminary to the rendering of decisions affecting agency operations, in the execution of documents, or in the preparation for trial of specific cases, subject to general supervision of higher level attorneys based on the difficulty of the legal problems encountered.

Examples of Work: Has responsibility for rendering legal advice to a county agency; directs the preparation of contracts, leases, deeds, and other documents; leads in or conducts research in rendering legal opinions, preparing materials for proposed legislation, and formulating rules and regulations.

Performs all legal work in enforcing the laws, rules and regulations of an agency.

Conducts quasi-judicial hearings or advises boards or administrative officers in deciding hearings.

Prepares legal opinions for administrative officials.

Tries and argues cases in court involving civil litigation and criminal prosecution, generally in a special field of law.

Confers with private citizens to advise them on applicable laws and regulations.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the common law and of the county, state, and Federal laws, particularly in regard to general administrative and regulatory functions of county government.

Knowledge of the 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 or criminal cases and of effective techniques in the presentation of cases in court.

Ability to analyze and organize facts, evidence, and precedents concerned in moderately complex cases and to present such materials in opinions, orders, or decisions.

Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments.

Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with state administrative officials, local government officials, employees, court officials, and the general public.

Ability to plan, assign, and review the work of other employes.

Ability to draft legal instruments and proposed legislation.

Minimum Experience and Training: Two years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work and graduation from an approved school of law;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; or eligibility for a certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; or possession of a certification of admission to the Bar of the highest court of another state, with preparatory steps taken to become a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Date Established or Last Revised

Class Specification - 1977

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST09