Assistant Corporation Counsel

Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support, Combined Court Operations, Sheriff's Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors and those with Disabilities in Aging and Disability Services, and Veterans in Veterans Services. Our employees also remain committed to serving the cultural, human, recreational, and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If disability related accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936. For submitted application inquiries please contact careers@milwaukeecountywi.gov. Please note: an online application must be submitted for consideration.

We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!

ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL

Annual Salary Range $99,091.20 - $148,636.80

Closing Date: March 27, 2026, or sooner upon receipt of the first 50 application submissions

Are you looking for a rewarding and challenging opportunity to make a difference in the community? The Milwaukee County Corporation Counsel is now hiring for an Assistant Corporation Counsel to join a team of dedicated professionals serving the people of Milwaukee County. This position will be representing Milwaukee County in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Children, Youth & Family Services (CYFS). CYFS includes Birth to Three, Children's Community Options Program, Children's Long Term Support Waiver program and youth justice operations, to include a youth detention and secure residential care center for children & youth. This is an excellent opportunity for both experienced attorneys and newer attorneys that are interested in these practice areas.

The Office of the Corporation Counsel serves as the chief legal counsel to all Milwaukee County departments, offices, boards, commissions and elected officials.

Job Summary: The Milwaukee County Office of Corporation Counsel (OCC) acts as general counsel for Milwaukee County (the "County") including its departments, boards, committees, and elected officials, concerning a wide range of civil legal issues that impact the County and the public. Under the supervision of Chief Corporation Counsel and Deputy Corporation Counsel, Assistant Corporation Counsel is responsible for providing accurate, high-quality, and practical legal advice in, among other legal areas: labor and employment; real estate; contracting; land use; information management; County and board governance; risk management; public records (open records requests) and open meetings. Assistant Corporation Counsel represents the County in litigation in state and federal court and before administrative agencies. This position will serve Milwaukee County's Children and Young Adult Services Division ("CYFS") and will work out of the Office of Corporation Counsel, the Vel R. Phillips Youth & Family Justice Center, the Marcia Coggs Center, and other areas as appropriate.

The Milwaukee County Office of Corporation Counsel currently utilizes a hybrid work model where employees are in-person at least three days per week and may work up to two days remotely if approved by their supervisor. This model is subject to change at the discretion of the Corporation Counsel. This hybrid model is only available once an employee has completed probation and is offered completely at management's discretion. Do not assume remote work will be available when making your employment decision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent the County in litigation before federal and state courts as well as administrative agencies. Litigation practice areas include but are not limited to civil rights, employment, labor, public records, open meetings, appellate practice, and proceedings under Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 938, 51, 54, and 55. This includes all aspects of litigation including legal writing, research, and trial work.
• Assist with designing, implementing, and facilitating trainings for CYFS staff regarding all relevant WI State Statutes, Administrative Codes and Medicaid issues.
• Provide support and feedback for CYFS staff related to court proceedings in delinquency, JIPS and juvenile Chapter 51 matters. This also includes providing legal representation for CYFS at court appearances in Children's Court, when needed.
• Provide support and guidance to CYFS staff related to the youth justice and children's disability programs operations, to include but not limited to Chapters 938 and 48, Wis. Admin. Code DOC Ch. 346, 347 & 393, State of WI DCF Child Welfare and Youth Justice Standards, Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Children's Long-Term Support Waiver Program (CLTS) , Medicaid and Chapter 51.
• Provide written and oral legal advice to elected officials and other county leaders within CYFS. This advice must be thoroughly researched, accurate, timely, and practical. Advice provided must account for underlying policy considerations. Must be able to accurately interpret federal, state, and local law, and support decision making by policy makers with reliable legal analysis.
• Represent County departments in transactions including but not limited to general contracting and procurement, real estate development, bond issuance, landlord tenant issues, intergovernmental agreements, and memoranda of understanding. Must understand and apply Milwaukee County specific laws and be able to assess litigation risk related to transactions.
• Contribute to the office's internal process and procedure improvements, work to advance the office's strategic plan, and participate in internal work groups related to our practice areas. Generally, participate in internal initiatives to perpetuate our office's ongoing success.
• Represent the office in the community including presentations, panels, and other speaking engagements.
• Participate in interdepartmental work groups as a representative of our office as required. Assist with onboarding and mentoring of new attorneys. Provide back-up coverage for colleagues as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Dedication and passion for public service.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a current resident of the State of Wisconsin.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and a member in good standing of the State of Wisconsin Bar Association.

Please Note: Experience in a municipal or government setting and previous experience prosecuting and defending civil litigation and administrative actions. Significant experience and/or a strong interest in youth justice, child welfare, Medicaid and other related areas is preferred.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The ability to build strong working relationships internally and externally, and to foster cooperation and identify alignments between parties that may have opposing interests. Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, creativity, ethics and understanding. Possess excellent interpersonal communication skills. Understand the intersection between OCC's legal advice and analysis with operating procedures and county finances. Effective oral communication before both internal and external groups, prepare and/or present written communications analyzing complex topics. Regularly make decisions of responsibility involving the evaluation of complex information, and the development and assessment of alternatives and potential impacts. Complete difficult work governed by broad instructions and objectives often involving frequently changing conditions and problems. General knowledge of all common computer software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn how to use other software as necessary. Knowledge of federal and state civil procedure, the Wisconsin State Statutes, case law, and trial practices. Ability to make independent legal decisions, conduct legal research, analyze and appraise facts and evidence.

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.