Principal Assistant Corporation Counsel

Status: Full Time, ExemptStarting Wage Range: $52.48/hr. - $57.84/hr. Department: Corporation Counsel Position Open Until Filled - Application Review Date: March 18, 2026 Please submit Resume and Cover Letter with application

Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) - available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) - with employer contributions - HRA
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, Short-term disability and Flex spending
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Provides complex legal advice and legal representation to the County Board and its committees, boards and commissions, County Board Chairman, County Administrator, and Department Heads, issuing verbal and written opinions concerning interpretations of the rights, authority, duties and powers under state and federal constitutions, federal and state statutes and administrative regulations and the Dodge County Code of Ordinances.
2. Conducts legal research and drafts written legal opinions. Drafts, reviews, and researches county resolutions, ordinances, contracts and legal documents.
3. Provides legal advice and opinions to County departments and County Board committees.
4. Updates County departments on changes in laws or regulations and impacts on the County.
5. Advises and represents the Human Services and Health Department in guardianship and protective placement proceedings, children in need of protection and services proceedings (CHIPS) and termination of parental rights (TPR) proceedings.
6. Represents the interests of the public in mental health, alcohol and drug dependency commitment proceedings.
7. Advises and represents the Economic Support Division of the Human Services and Health Department in subrogation cases, reviews and analyzes trusts and provides advice relating to divestment issues.
8. Advises and represents Human Resources on employee relations or labor relations matters in the absence of the Corporation Counsel.
9. Advises and represents the Child Support Agency in child support and paternity cases in the absence of the Child Support Attorney.
10. Performs legal research, analyzes and develops strong legal arguments and positions for the drafting of motions, briefs, legal pleadings and memoranda for Court, including the appellate and supreme court
11. Submits Proofs and other bankruptcy pleadings in bankruptcy court when the County is a creditor.
12. Analyzes cases and recommends disposition; negotiates agreements; advises staff, drafts legal documents and pleadings including complaints, discovery documents and pretrial motions.
13. Attends hearings; prepares witnesses; handles jury selection; negotiates settlements.
14. Creates, reviews or edits contracts in which the County is a party.
15. Reviews claims, suits and demands. Coordinates discovery with county departments, develops litigation strategy and negotiates/analyzes settlement proposals.
16. Prosecutes ordinance violations.
17. Prosecutes non-criminal violations/citations issued by the Dodge County Sheriff.
18. Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES FOR PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL ASSIGNED TO THE CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY:

1. Responsible for administrative oversight, visioning, leadership, planning, coordinating and control of the child support program for the County.
2. Manages and directs the day-to-day operations of the Child Support Agency, including legal compliance, policy development, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and Court orders as required by the State of Wisconsin.
3. Provides leadership in attracting, retaining, and developing an engaged workforce and the delivery of superior, timely services to stakeholders.
4. Directs the work of and manages the staff of the Child Support Agency. Interviews and selects new employees. Provides direction, instructions, and ongoing training needs. Assigns tasks, reviews work, and prepares performance evaluations.
5. Provides staff coaching/counseling. Recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.
6. Assist the Corporation Counsel in the development and preparation of the annual budget for the Agency; forecasts necessary funding for staff, equipment, and other material needs. Monitors budget throughout the year.
7. Participates in state-wide child support organizations as approved by the Corporation Counsel to develop new procedures and influence related public policy.
8. Reports and presents as needed to the Corporation Counsel on child support operations and services.
9. See also Child Support Director Job Description.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES FOR PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL ASSIGNED AS DEPUTY CORPORATION COUNSEL:

1. In the absence of the Corporation Counsel, performs all of the duties thereof including but not limited to attending County Board and County Board committee meetings.
2. Provides leadership in attracting, retaining, and developing an engaged workforce and the delivery of superior, timely services to stakeholders.
3. Directs the work of and manages the staff of the Legal Assistants. Interviews and selects new employees. Provides direction, instructions, and ongoing training needs. Assigns tasks, reviews work, and prepares performance evaluations.
4. Provides staff coaching/counseling. Recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

• Excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of County ordinances and of general municipal State, Federal statutes, common law and administrative rules and regulations; and of constitutional laws affecting County government in Wisconsin.
• Knowledge of County ordinances particularly as relating to authority, functions, operations and programs within County departments.
• Knowledge of principles, materials and practices necessary to conduct legal research.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, legal format, and processes.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes and ongoing statutory changes, procedural changes, and form changes.
• Knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
• Ability and skill to draft legal pleadings, briefs, opinions, and memoranda in a timely and accurate manner.
• Knowledge of principles, procedures, and techniques of labor contracts and negotiations.
• Knowledge of the County's and Department's operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Skill in analyzing complex legal information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Ability to research and analyze complex legal information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department-specific documents.
• Ability to organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ability to cross-train, provide support and back up for co-workers.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Knowledge of computer software including legal research databases, word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding confidential and sensitive files, reports, materials and conversations in compliance with applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting.
• May require dealing with persons who are hostile, aggressive, abusive or violent, posing threatening conditions.

Dodge County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Doctorate of Law (required)

Legal experience advising counties, cities, villages or town governments. (preferred)
Experience handling administrative proceedings involving County Departments (CAPTA, CLTS fair hearings). (preferred)
Legal experience prosecuting cases under ch. 48, 51, 54, 55 of the Wisconsin Statutes. (preferred)
Legal experience analyzing authorities and governance set forth in Chapter 59 of the Wisconsin Statutes and related common law. (preferred)
Solid understanding of Parliamentary Procedure and Robert's Rules of Order. (preferred)
Must successfully pass criminal background checks. (required)
4 years: Legal experience in county government or municipal legal setting or law firm. (required)
Juris Doctorate degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin. (required)