Job Title: Deputy Counsel
Department: Office of Counsel
Immediate Supervisors: Counsel
Ultimate Supervisors: Counsel and executive director
Positions Supervised: None
Purpose of the Job: The primary responsibilities of this position are to investigate and report to the Grievance Committee upon grievances filed against lawyers licensed to practice law in North Carolina, to represent the State Bar in state and federal trial and appellate proceedings, and to provide legal advice and other support to the State Bar and its committees, boards, and commissions.
Primary Job Responsibilities
Work with the Grievance Committee
- Conduct investigations of grievances involving North Carolina licensees
- Prepare reports and make recommendations to the Grievance Committee concerning disposition of grievances
- Staff meetings of the Grievance Committee
- Field inquiries from grievance complainants and respondents
- Draft disciplinary orders issued by the Grievance Committee
- Provide legal advice and support to the Attorney Client Assistance Program
Trial and Appellate Work
- Try discipline, disability, and reinstatement cases before the Disciplinary Hearing Commission
- Represent the State Bar in discipline, disability, and injunctive proceedings in state and federal trial and appellate courts
- Represent the State Bar in trusteeship proceedings in state court and supervise and assist trustees of the practices of disabled, deceased, disbarred, and missing lawyers
- Represent the State Bar in state court proceedings to disburse funds from the trust accounts of disabled, deceased, disbarred, and missing lawyers
- Represent the State Bar in miscellaneous civil actions in state and federal trial and appellate courts and administrative tribunals
Work with Other State Bar Committees, Boards, and Commissions
- Provide legal advice and support to State Bar committees, boards, and commissions
- Prepare agendas and minutes for assigned State Bar committees
- Staff meetings of assigned State Bar committees
- Draft proposed rule changes for assigned State Bar committees
Accountability and Authority
This position reports directly to the counsel and the executive director of the State Bar. Deputy counsel exercises independent judgment concerning his or her caseload and is expected to complete all assigned responsibilities timely with minimal supervision. Deputy counsel consults with the counsel and the executive director concerning issues of State Bar policy and concerning legal issues and proceedings respecting which deputy counsel represents the State Bar.
Required Education, Experience, and Skills
- JD degree and active North Carolina law license with no professional discipline
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the practice of law preferred, which may include in part judicial clerk experience
- Trial experience in state or federal courts or administrative tribunals preferred
- Excellent writing and speaking skills
- Academic success in undergraduate and law school
Working Conditions
- Position is exempt in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, one hour lunch break
- Overtime as required, unpaid
- Some travel, usually in state, mileage reimbursed
Please send resume, cover letter, references, and a recent writing sample to kjean@ncbar.gov.
The North Carolina State Bar is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.
