Principal Assistant Corporation Counsel

Status:   Full Time, Exempt

Starting 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 ye