About the Department

Under the general direction of the Corporation Counsel, this attorney position provides civil legal services, advice and representation for Douglas County. Attorney responds to legal inquiries, rendering legal assistance and opinions to departments within Douglas County government, litigating cases and also initiates and conducts legal proceedings, drafts legal documents, and does appellate work when necessary.

FLSA status: Exempt. Full-time based on 40 hours per week.
2026 salary grade: $42.42 - $45.86

Douglas County offers a competitive benefits package including, but not limited, to:

Annual wage increase based on eligibility
Paid, on-the-job training and advancement opportunities
85% county contribution to health and dental premiums
Health Saving Account (HSA) available to all employees enrolled in the county's medical plan, with annual contributions provided by the employer and the health plan
Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)- One of the leading retirement systems in the nation- Contributions are paid according to current year rates set by Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (refer to www.etf.wi.gov for further detail)
County paid life insurance policy with coverage equivalent to annual salary (affordable Supplemental, Additional, and Spousal/Dependent life insurance available at employee’s expense)
Competitive paid time off including vacation, sick time, personal days and holidays
Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer

Position Duties

Represent the interests of the State of Wisconsin as attorney for the child support agency, including commencement and handling of legal proceedings for the establishment of paternity, child support, child support modification, review, enforcement and related issues.
Represent the interests of the State of Wisconsin, the County and public interest in the prosecution of mental health, guardianship and protective placement proceedings.
Assist in preparation and review of related pleadings, stipulations, orders, warrants, petitions, summons, motions, judgments and related legal documents.
Research and deliver legal opinions related to County Department programs, practices, and procedures.
Prepare, draft, and file legal documents including pleadings, discovery, motions, judgments, appeals and related reports necessary for litigation; or drafts opinions, orders, or decisions.
Provide legal representation for County departments in court appearances.
Provide legal representation for the County in appellate work in which the County is a party.
Review and draft contracts and leases when the County is a party.
Draft and review County ordinances.
Advise and represent the County in all civil legal proceedings involving the County including zoning ordinance violations, public health violations and small claims actions.
Provide consultation on Wisconsin Public Records and Open Meeting laws.
Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding confidential and sensitive files, reports, materials and conversations in compliance with applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
Performs other duties as required.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an ABA accredited law school, Juris Doctor degree.
State of Wisconsin Law Licensure required.
2 years of active legal practice experience as a licensed attorney prior to the date of application preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge and legal practice experience in the fields of family law, administrative, mental health, guardianships, collections, open meetings and public records law, and code enforcement desired.
Must successfully pass criminal background checks.
Valid driver's license or other reliable transportation to perform job duties plus driving record that meets County standards required.

Other Qualifications

Required Knowledge and Competencies

Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the Douglas County Code, Wisconsin State Statutes, the Administrative Code, applicable case law and federals laws in areas of municipal public law affecting County government and as applicable to County government, as well as the civil laws and procedures in Wisconsin.
Knowledge of pertinent judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of family, municipal, administrative, trial, guardianship, protective placement, and mental health law as set forth in Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 48, 51, 54, 55, 59, 66, and 767 or related thereto.
Knowledge of the law and legal principles related to establishment of paternity and the establishment, enforcement, and revision of child support provisions in divorce, paternity, foster care, and interstate cases.
Ability to obtain access and utilize wiKIDS in regard to the establishment and enforcement of child support obligations.
Ability to determine the adequacy and accuracy of pleadings, briefs, and opinions.
Ability to provide reliable and sound legal counsel in the various fields of municipal law.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally an in writing with a capacity for analytical thinking with the general public, judges, attorneys and their support staff, County Board Supervisors and county personnel.
Knowledge of litigation procedure, technique and strategy, and legal research methodology and capacity for presenting evidence and for making written and oral arguments or presentations, at times with short notice.
Ability to perform legal research and draft briefs for court and ability to appraise, organize facts and effectively present materials in written or oral form.
Considerable knowledge of governmental organization, legislative procedures and judicial procedures.
Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships.

Working conditions

This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical requirements

Exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Testing Requirements

Testing may be administered to assess the skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential duties of this position. Structured interview, references and/or background investigation.

Douglas County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Benefits

Health Insurance After 30 days of employment
(Employee pays 15% of premium)

Single, or Employee + 1 or Family options

Contact Human Resources for further info

Dental Insurance After 30 days of employment
(Employee pays 15% of premium)

Single, or Employee + 1 or Family options

Contact Human Resources for further info

Life Insurance After 6 months of employment

Basic: 1 times your annual salary (County Paid)

Supplemental: 2 times your annual salary (Employee Paid)

Additional: 3 to 5 times your annual salary (Employee Paid)

Optional spousal and dependent life insurance (Employee Paid)

$4,000 Life Insurance Policy (County Paid)

Wisconsin Retirement:
Employer and Employee contributions to Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS are regulated by the State of Wisconsin. Contributions are paid according to current year rates set by WRS Employee Trust Fund. Refer to www.etf.wi.gov for further detail.

Mission Square/Nationwide Retirement Services Deferred Compensation Accounts for public employees.

Pre-Tax Plan:
Flexible Benefit Plan Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) (Helps employees reduce their taxable income by "setting aside" dollars spent on dependent daycare expenses).

Vacation:
Vacation is accumulated on a monthly basis. Newly hired employees will accrue vacation from their date of hire, but are not eligible to take vacation until successful completion of four months of their employment.

Sick Time:
Sick time accumulates at 1 day per month up to 120 days.

Employee Assistance Program:
(EAP) is confidential, professional help with personal matters. (County Paid)

Long Term Disability After 30 days of employment.

Short Term Disability After 30 days of employment (At Employee Expense).

Holidays 10 Paid Holidays per year.*

Personal Days 5 days per year *

*With the exception of those specific services which operate on a 24-hour basis. Contact Douglas County Human Resources for further info.

Supplemental Questions

Do you have working knowledge of Wisconsin State Statutes and the Wisconsin Administrative Code?

Are you familiar with municipal public law as it applies to county government (e.g., ordinances, resolutions, county authority)?

Please rate your level of experience with Wisconsin civil procedure and rules of evidence:

None
Basic
Intermediate
Advanced

Do you have experience interpreting and applying case law in legal decision-making?

Indicate your experience with the following areas (check all that apply):

Ch. 48 (Children’s Code)
Ch. 51 (Mental Health)
Ch. 54 (Guardianships)
Ch. 55 (Protective Placements/Services)
Ch. 59 (County Organization)
Ch. 66 (Municipal Law)
Ch. 767 (Family Law)
None of the above

Do you have experience with judicial procedures and rules of evidence in Wisconsin courts?

How many years of courtroom or litigation experience do you have?

Do you have experience with paternity establishment and/or child support cases?

Do you possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school?

I have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school with a J.D.
I am currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited J.D. program
I do not meet this requirement

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: Douglas County (WI)
Address: 1316 N. 14th Street, Suite 301

Superior, Wisconsin, 54880
Phone: 715-395-1429
Website: http://douglascountywi.org

Assistant Corporation Counsel - Attorney