Assistant County Attorney (Sheriff's Office) Resume Example

Asst. County Attorney Lonnie Albright

Job Description for Sheriff's Office Attorney

I am assigned to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. I will endeavor to describe my duties in hopes the reader will gain an understanding of the duties involved of a Sheriff's Office attorney.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is the second largest department/office in the County. The essential duties pertaining to the Sheriff's Office include but are not limited to: Application of principles of law and liability to situations at issue, perform any necessary legal research, evaluate whether a particular course of action is required, or prohibited, evaluate and quantify risks and benefits of each potential course of action; reach and describe conclusions regarding the wisdom of recommended course of action. When contacted regarding emergency situations requiring immediate response, must gather relevant information quickly and properly and expeditiously assess risks to the agency, individual officers and public and evaluate and provide immediate sound legal advice including, as requested, review and drafting search warrants. I am on call 24/7 for the Sheriff's Office.

Constant review of new laws and court decisions which apply to or are relevant to Sheriff's Office; analyze impact; determine best method of informing appropriate personnel in a timely fashion.

Review all lawsuits and claims against Sheriff's Office, participate in the development of defense strategy including settlement considerations, facilitate and/or participate in defense preparation; participate in some trials/court appearances. Keep Executive Command Staff fully apprised of standing of all litigation matters. Litigate Sheriff's Office matters in State and Federal Courts as of July 1, 2018. Represent the Sheriff's Office on unemployment compensation matters before the NC Department of Commerce. Respond to public records request in accord with the requirements of North Carolina's public records laws.

Review state law and state administrative code provisions mandating training, new legislation and court decisions. Review any reported matters with legal implications, review court orders and other court documents provided by Clerk of Court, Judges, attorneys and District Attorney's Office. Evaluate lawfulness of such documents and employee conduct involved in such directives; assess the degree of liability risk associated with any of the above situations.

Develop and present legal training to Sheriff's Office employees to reduce liability risks and to comply with legal requirements that improve job performance in high liability areas. Must provide legal and practical guidance in the development of effective written directives for employees of the Sheriff's Office. Additionally, present annual legal review to Sheriff's Office sworn officers as provided by the North Carolina Department of Justice and North Carolina Training and Standards and as a certified lecturer, instruct parts of the Detention Officer Certification Course.

Timely review all contracts pertaining to the Sheriff's Office operations including without limitation, provision of inmate medical services, food services, teacher contracts, polygraph services contracts together with numerous vendor contracts and leases for provision of many other goods and services to the Sheriff's Office. I draft specialty legal documents or memoranda as needed.

Maintain awareness of sensitive investigations and operations. Cultivate and maintain working relationships with a broad range of public officials, professional associations (NC Assoc of Police Attorneys) ( Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)) and public entities, and communicate effectively with all such persons and entities as needed.

Perform additional legal tasks assigned by the Sheriff in the Sheriff's discretion. Representation of the Sheriff's Office is a full time job in and of itself and consumes the majority of my work day.