Associate Counsel - 49029 Jobs

ASSOCIATE COUNSEL

Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Legal Division

Nashville, TN

From $8,408.00 per month

Reimbursement/payment for Continuing Legal Education Courses (15 hours)

Reimbursement/payment of Tennessee Professional Privilege Tax

Hybrid work schedule subject to supervisor approval after training completed.

Closing Date: 08/30/2023

Job Overview:

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security is accepting resumes for an Associate Counsel position in the Legal Division's Nashville Office. This Division is responsible for conducting civil hearings regarding property seized by law enforcement agencies in Middle Tennessee for violations of the Tennessee Drug Control Act and Driving on Revoked for DUI. Additionally, the Department presents legal updates and training to law enforcement officers and task force agents in proper seizure procedure. The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of trial experience, experience in a criminal court setting, and/or supervising staff. Applicants must have a law degree and be licensed to practice law in Tennessee.

Schedule:

Monday to Friday 8:00-4:30

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and file voluntary dismissals in appropriate cases and communicate reasoning to seizing agency.
• Provide law enforcement officers with prompt and accurate guidance to comply with state law and procedure for seizing assets; responding promptly to requests for information from officers.
• Handle Chancery Court appeals filed by claimants, writing Petitions for Review on approved cases, writing of appellate briefs and presenting oral argument.
• Schedule and present periodic training to law enforcement officers and drug task force agents in proper seizure procedure and forms, including an update on recent case law.
• Timely submit Proposed Compromise and Settlement Orders and Proposed Continuance Orders for signature by the Administrative Law Judge.
• Conducting legal research of applicable case law; drafting of subpoenas, motions, interrogatories and responses to motions to suppress, etc.
• Become adept at scheduling and conducting hearings via WebEx; be available to cover dockets in Knoxville and Memphis by WebEx on an as-needed basis.
• High-volume review of property seizure documents submitted by seizing agencies, check for statutory compliance, seek additional information if needed, and forward to staff for processing/sending certified notice to potential owners.
• Provide guidance and leadership to administrative staff in proper procedure for processing cases, meeting internal deadlines, handling special issues, filing Orders with the Administrative Procedures Division, and properly maintaining internal case files in the Division's electronic filing system.
• Responsible for daily supervision of approximately four full-time and three part-time staff, including conducting periodic performance evaluations and approving staff time and leave requests.
• Review cases in which property owners have filed a Petition for the return of property and prepare file for administrative hearing, including an assessment of discovery needs.
• Represent the Department in in-person hearings, when requested, in Nashville, Cookeville and Lawrencburg.
• Prepare for and represent the Department in weekly dockets; negotiating resolution in appropriate cases and collaborating with seizing agencies in advance of the hearing date to fully understand case and any on-going criminal case arising from same encounter.
• Prepare for and litigate all matters that are not otherwise resolved.
• Present training in seizure procedure as requested by judicial commissioners and district attorneys' conference.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Vision insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.