Job Title: Staff Investigator
Department: Office of Counsel
Immediate Supervisor: Director of Investigations
Purpose of the job: To provide investigative support to the Office of Counsel.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
- Plan and conduct investigations concerning allegations of professional misconduct and professional disability of lawyers licensed to practice law in North Carolina and concerning allegations of the unauthorized practice of law.
- Identify and locate necessary witnesses and documentary evidence.
- Interview respondents and witnesses.
- Conduct forensic audits and analyze financial data, including forming and articulating conclusions regarding the propriety of transaction details.
- Prepare detailed, annotated reports memorializing witness interviews and reflecting and explaining investigative findings and conclusions.
- Prepare for and testify as a fact witness and as an expert witness in proceedings before the Disciplinary Hearing Commission and before state and federal courts.
- Identify and locate claimants to funds remaining in trust accounts of deceased, disbarred, disabledm, and missing lawyers.
- Plan, oversee, and review the work of investigative clerks.
- Serve process when travel restrictions are lifted.
- Coordinate and participate with law enforcement agencies in formulating and executing facility security strategies.
- A valid driver’s license, the ability to drive, and access to an automobile is required for the position.
- Travel throughout North Carolina as needed to perform these functions when travel restrictions are lifted.
Accountability and Authority:
The investigator reports to and is directly supervised by the Director of Investigations. After the investigator and deputy counsel collaborate to formulate investigation goals and strategy, the investigator works independently with limited supervision. The investigator is expected to complete investigations timely and to minimize any investigative backlog.
Desired Education, Experience, and Skills:
- Undergraduate degree in business, economics, or accounting.
- Previous investigative experience, preferably with a local, federal, or state law enforcement agency.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to elicit appropriate information through interviews.
- Ability to analyze financial records.
- Experience working independently to formulate and execute investigation strategies.
- Experience testifying as a fact witness and as an expert witness in legal proceedings.
- Experience gathering, preserving, and authenticating evidence, including establishing and preserving chains of custody.
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
- Travel: Required, expenses reimbursed
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to Jobs@ncbar.gov.
For Questions About This Position: Please email Joe Commisso, Director of Investigations, at JCommisso@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.
