Oneida County accepting applications to fill a full-time Corporation Counsel position with the Oneida County Corporation Counsel's Office.
JOB SUMMARY
The Corporation Counsel provides legal services to the County Board, Committees and County Departments on a wide variety of civil legal matters including protective placement, juvenile justice, guardianship and mental health placements, along with matters involving zoning, real estate, contract and labor law plus other areas as assigned. This position is responsible for case preparation and trial work, legal research, drafting and reviewing contracts and legal documents, attending and advising at County Board and Committee meetings and supporting the Human Resources Director on labor relations and grievance matters. The Corporation Counsel also supervises department staff and ensures all work complies with local, state and federal laws.
QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION
Candidates must be a graduate of an accredited law school, licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and have at least three years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably with county or municipal experience in civil law. A strong understanding of civil procedure, labor law, contract law and rules of evidence is required along with the ability to manage litigation, supervise legal staff and provide objective professional legal advice and opinions to elected and appointed officials and employees. Experience in investigating and interviewing is strongly preferred.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The 2025 annual salary is $112,728 to $154,599 and includes a highly competitive benefit package, including Wisconsin Retirement benefits, affordable health insurance and a PTO (Paid Time Off) package with the ability to carry unused PTO into future years.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Complete job description and required Oneida County application is available at www.oneidacountywi.gov. Applicants are required to submit a completed Oneida County application, writing sample, resume, cover letter and college transcripts to jlueneburg@oneidacountywi.gov or mail to Oneida County LRES, P.O. Box 400, Rhinelander, WI 54501. Applicants selected to move on in the process must be available for an interview on Monday, September 8th.
Deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
Oneida County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Oneida County
Job Description
Job Title: Corporation Counsel
Department: Corporation Counsel
Reports To: Public Safety Committee
FLSA Status: Exempt-Exec.
Prepared By: Mike Fugle, Interim Corporation Counsel
Prepared Date: March 11, 2021
Approved By: Public Safety Committee
Approved By: Lisa Charbarneau, Human Resources Director
Approved Date: March 2021
Last Reviewed Date: March 2023
SUMMARY Provides specific legal services to the County Board, its committees and county officials. Represents the County in civil cases in the areas of child support, paternity, juvenile, guardianship, protective placement, mental, inebriacy, zoning, contract review and other civil legal matters. The work is carried out under the policy direction of the County Board and in accordance with the General Code of the County, State Statutes and applicable federal law.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Interviews appropriate officials, staff and other witnesses, researches applicable statutes, ordinances, case law and treatises, drafts necessary legal pleadings, conducts necessary discovery, conducts research for and writes necessary legal briefs, appears at trial and appellate review hearings in the following types of cases.
a. Zoning
b. Juvenile
c. Child Support
d. Paternity
e. Guardianship/protective placement
f. Mental health and inebriacy
g. Real Estate
h. Contract Law
i. Labor Law
j. Other miscellaneous legal cases
Assists with Labor Relations as requested by the Labor Relations and Employee Services Committee and/or Director.
Reviews and drafts contracts and other legal documents involving the County as assigned.
Attends meetings of the County Board and its committees and prepares ordinances and resolutions and legal opinions at their request.
Provides legal representation to the Labor Relations and Employee Services Committee in labor contract and grievance arbitration hearings and provides research on legal issues to the Committee and the Human Resources Director as requested.
Provides legal services to the County Board, its committees, officials and staff on miscellaneous matters.
Any other duty as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Directly supervises employees in the Corporation Counsel Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include oversee the process of interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Must be knowledgeable in the following areas: of applicable federal, state and municipal laws, statutes and ordinances; of civil procedure law and rules of evidence; of child support enforcement practices and investigative techniques; in areas of juvenile, child support, paternity, mental, guardianship, protective placement, inebriacy, zoning, real estate, and contract law. This position requires the ability to argue court cases, present appeal cases and handle unanticipated trial problems. Must also be able to provide objective, professional legal advice and opinions to elected and appointed officials and employee in an amicable manner. Extensive knowledge of labor law is required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Membership in the Wisconsin Bar Association.
Graduation from an accredited school of law and at least three years experience as a practicing attorney, preferably with county/municipal experience with emphasis in the areas of civil law identified above. Experience in investigation and interviewing is desirable.
LANGUAGE SKILLS Must possess excellent verbal (including courtroom presentation), and written communication.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Good math skills relating to client needs.
REASONING ABILITY Ability to analyze, assess and organize facts, evidence and precedents. Possess good independent decision making.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Wisconsin Driver's license.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
