Asst Counsel Code Enforcement

Assistant Counsel, Code Enforcement

An Assistant Counsel, Code Enforcement, performs progressively responsible legal work in Baltimore City addressing a wide variety of neighborhood, drug nuisance and housing code enforcement issues. The incumbent represents the City and the State’s Attorney’s Office in civil, nuisance abatement and criminal housing code enforcement cases of varying complexity in circuit and district courts. The role may involve full supervisory duties and responsibilities.

Incumbents receive moderate supervision from a technical superior. Employees in this class work a conventional workweek in an office setting where normal working conditions are encountered. The work requires minimal physical exertion.

• Research, prepare, and try civil and criminal housing code enforcement, drug nuisance, and tenant/landlord cases on behalf of the State’s Attorney’s Office and Baltimore City in the Circuit Court and District Court of Baltimore.
• Research and render legal opinions on code‑enforcement and related questions submitted by City government departments and agencies.
• Draft a wide variety of legal documents, including briefs, interrogatories, motions, pleadings, charging documents, and civil complaints for prosecution in the Baltimore City Circuit and District Courts.
• Represent the Department, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and the City at hearings and meetings of boards, commissions, community and landlord/tenant organizations, and other groups; assist in developing strategic plans and addressing housing code, drug nuisance, and related concerns.
• Provide litigation counsel to agency staff and representatives of other City agencies on code-enforcement programs, strategies, and joint case prosecutions.
• Research, locate, and identify property owners and tenants involved in code‑enforcement cases.
• Advise and inform superiors on trial proceedings, status, and problems.
• Utilize business and legal databases and systems to analyze legal facts, formulate decisions, and coordinate case processing through the legal system.
• Perform related work as required.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of law and court procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable Baltimore City Code, Charter provisions, and federal, state, and city statutes dealing with code enforcement.
• Knowledge of Maryland criminal and civil law and procedure.
• Skill in conducting legal research using a wide variety of sources and technology.
• Skill in using a personal computer and commonly utilized business and legal software packages and databases.
• Skill in preparing legal documents.
• Ability to prepare and try cases of varying complexity.
• Ability to organize, interpret, and apply legal principles in research and prosecution of a case.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to manage a full caseload of trial cases.
• Ability to coordinate multiple priorities.

A law degree from an accredited law school and two years of experience in trial work, legal writing and/or municipal law and practice before circuit and district courts.

• Admission to the Bar of the State of Maryland.
• A valid Maryland Class C noncommercial driver’s license or equivalent.
• Eligibility to obtain a Baltimore City driver’s permit.
• Authorization to release criminal conviction information if under final consideration for appointment.
• Successful completion of a background check by the State’s Attorney’s Office of Baltimore City.