General Counsel
Kendall County is a small to mid-sized county located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, with nearby access to San Antonio. Kendall County welcomes employees who conduct themselves according to the highest professional and ethical standards. Kendall County values our employees and strives to create a positive and enjoyable work environment.
Summary
The General Counsel position is appointed by the Kendall County Commissioners Court, and under the general supervision of the County Judge and Commissioners. The purpose of the position is to serve as legal counsel to the Commissioners Court. Persons in this classification are responsible for providing complex legal work to include legal advice and opinions to the Commissioners Court and other duties as assigned by the Court.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Responsible for managing the day-to-day legal responsibilities of Kendall County by providing legal counsel and support to the Kendall County Commissioners Court, Kendall County Elected Officials, and County Departments. Kendall County, as a government entity, is subject to a wide range of local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
Maintains the highest level of professional ethics.
Demonstrates legal and ethical stature, maturity, sound judgment, competence, and confidence to operate with credibility at all levels of the County.
Functions as primary legal counsel to the County Judge, Commissioners Court, and County Departments.
Provides legal counsel to elected officials when requested on policy decision making.
Views issues and concerns through Kendall Countys perspective and focuses on the right outcome for Kendall County at all times.
Identifies key issues and proposes multiple possible solutions or resources needed to reach optimum solution for Kendall County.
Decision-making based on core concepts and fundamental principles rather than historical practices and established procedures.
Conducts legal research and able to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and rules.
Reads and reviews statutes, legal opinions, and other documents to maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal legislation and jurisprudence affecting County operations, programs, and activities.
Renders oral and written legal opinions to the County Judge and Commissioners on matters relating to the operation of County government.
Renders legal decisions to the County Judge and Commissioners that have Countywide, and/or long-term implications.
Reviews agendas for public meetings to ensure compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act for public and executive session meetings.
Attends regular and special meetings of the Commissioners Court as directed to provide legal advice and clarify County policy.
Assists the County Judges Office in the preparation of minutes and/or certified agendas of the meetings of the Commissioners Court.
Drafts, tracks, and analyzes proposed federal and state legislative matters for consideration on behalf of Kendall County.
Remains informed of state, federal legislation, and/or judicial decisions that might impact County government.
Manages, drafts, reviews, and negotiates all major contracts and business negotiations on a regular basis; ensures all County contracts comply with applicable laws to minimize risks and maximize Kendall Countys legal rights.
Drafts or reviews deeds, easements, rights-of-way, releases, and other legal instruments that involve the County.
Maintains objectivity while driving appropriate outcomes, manages multiple stakeholder requests, and promotes high business and legal standards.
In addition to the County Judge and County Commissioners, regularly advises and works with:
o Criminal District Attorney
o County Purchasing Agent
o Information Technology
o Facilities
o Human Resources
o Emergency Management
o County Engineer
o Road and Bridge
o County Fire Marshal
o Emergency Medical Services
Assists Commissioners Court with the selection, retention, management, and evaluation of all outside counsel.
Assists with overseeing all aspects of outside counsel, including directing outside counsel, coordinating responses to discovery requests, and tracking the status/stages of the litigation.
Coordinates and collaborates with outside counsel on legal matters requiring specialized legal expertise, ensuring that delivery, quality and budgetary standards are maintained.
Provides proactive advice in connection with areas such as purchasing, finance, contracts, real estate, labor and employment issues, litigation, government regulations, and technology and licensing agreements; anticipates issues and estimates risks strategically.
As directed, attends meetings with County officials, employees, representatives of other governmental units, businesses, and/or the public
Represents the County in land purchases, sales, and leases.
Serves on committees responsible for drafting and amending County personnel policies and development rules.
In coordination with the Criminal District Attorney, oversees the management of Texas Public Information Act, requests Attorney General Opinions, and trains County personnel on TPIA and applicable Records Retention laws.
Functions as liaison with legal personnel at the Attorney Generals office, the Texas Association of Counties and legal departments of other offices concerning civil matters.
Prepares and monitors the Office of General Counsels annual budget.
Serves as probate staff attorney for County Judge upon request.
Represents or assists in the representation of the County in all civil legal matters.
Provides excellent customer service to the Countys internal and external customers.
Manages assigned personnel.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The General Counsel must be knowledgeable in a wide range of local, state, and federal rules and regulations applicable to County governments in the State of Texas.
Knowledge:
General legal limitations of Texas Counties and local governmental entities.
Understanding of County government structure and administrative rules and regulations.
Federal, state, and local laws and protocols related to Commissioners Court.
Federal, state, and local laws related to public officeholding.
State laws that relate to the operation of Texas Counties including but not limited to laws relating to competitive bidding, open meetings, public information, ethics, elections, parks, libraries, and emergency management.
Knowledge of procurement law, public finance, transportation, real estate, construction law, regulatory compliance, fire code, land use, economic development, and conservation laws.
County orders, policies and procedures, and resolutions.
Knowledge of Federal and State Employment Law
o Laws and regulations relating to the employment of public employees.
o Employment at Will.
o FLSA
o Title VII
o ADA and ADEA.
o FMLA and other leave.
o ACA and COBRA.
Extensive Knowledge of
o Texas Constitution and State laws applicable to Counties.
o Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act.
o HIPAA and HITECH, Texas Medical Privacy Act, and Texas Emergency Health Care Act
o Government contracts and procurement.
o County Regulatory Authority: Land Use; Public Safety and Sanitation; Commerce; and Transportation
Education and/or Experience
Education:
Bachelors Degree from a four-year college or university
Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited school of law.
Experience
