Deputy Chief Counsel

Description

The Deputy Chief Counsel serves as second-in-command of the Legal Department. The core responsibilities include overseeing the three Legal Department Section Supervisors for litigation, IT, and leasing and procurement, managing the Legal Department staff at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center, completing special projects as directed by the Court Administrator, Deputy Court Administrator, and Chief Counsel, and taking on the duties of Chief Counsel in their absence.

Primary Duties

• Serves as the Legal Department's second-in-command and performs the Chief Counsel's duties in their absence, ensuring the department's legal services continuity.
• Assists in supervising the three Legal Department Section Supervisors, which includes reviewing their quarterly reports, interim consultations, and lending advice and support.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of important legal cases concerning the judiciary, such as high-profile or high-risk cases, and advocates for strategies that can help minimize potential risks. Travels to Philadelphia bi-weekly to coordinate with the Litigation Section of the Legal Department.
• Handles special projects at the direction of the Court Administrator, the Deputy Court Administrator, and the Chief Counsel, such as comprehensive revisions to policies and procedures and creating and managing work groups to address systemic issues impacting the judicial system.
• Provides legal guidance to AOPC and UJS personnel, promoting lawful conduct and minimizing litigation exposure.
• Conducts onsite supervision of 6 legal department members located at the PJC. This onsite supervision involves job training, assisting with job-related tasks, and educating them on institutional protocols to help them complete assignments.
• Performs miscellaneous duties, including reviewing some legislation to provide legal analysis for fiscal notes drafted by AOPC staff and for ethical inquiries.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA-approved school of law.
• Admission to and in good standing before the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
• Six years of professional legal experience, which includes three years of professional supervisory experience.

Additional Requirements/Preferences

• Satisfactory criminal background check required.
• Travel required.

Additional Information

• Excellent benefits program including comprehensive, low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans for employees and eligible family members beginning on the first day of employment; 13 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days, and 12+ paid vacation days per year; salary increases; student loan forgiveness plan; employee assistance programs; and retirement plans.
• Free parking.

Unified Judicial System Hiring Policy

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania recruits, employs, and promotes the most qualified applicants without regard to their political affiliation, race, color, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, or other non-merit facts or considerations. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities as may be necessary to ensure that all applicants are given a fair and equal opportunity to compete for all employment positions. Applicants who need accommodation for an interview should request so in advance. UJS hiring and employment policies and procedures are intended to conform to all applicable state and federal laws governing fair and non-discriminatory hiring and employment practices and are subject to change as necessary to remain in compliance with such laws.

Applicants requiring accommodation, for any part of the application and/or interview process, should contact Human Resources at (717) 231-3309 or human.resources@pacourts.us.