Assistant General Counsel

The primary purpose of this job is to aid the General Counsel and other staff attorneys in providing legal services and advice to the operations of GMA and the various boards and committees of GMA. 

Major job functions include but are not limited to:

Responds to and assists the General Counsel and other staff attorneys in providing legal advice and technical assistance to GMA Boards and committees, GMA employee benefit and insurance program boards, GMA staff, and city attorneys, and answers general questions for local and state officials.

May assist with compliance matters for GMA and for employee benefit and insurance programs administered by GMA.

Conducts legal research on legislative policies and legal matters relating to GMA services and programs and to programs administered by GMA.

Prepares and negotiates contracts, prepares legal opinions, legal memoranda and correspondence. Assists in contract management, drafting, and review.

Assists in providing necessary legal advice to administer employee benefit plans and insurance programs in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations including providing plan amendments, restatements and other documents.               

Makes recommendations to the General Counsel regarding filing of amicus curiae briefs and drafts briefs and sample ordinances at the request of the General Counsel.               

Drafts summaries of legal opinions for GMA’s Legal Briefs newsletter; drafts, solicits, reviews and edits materials for other GMA publications.     

Drafts legislation, legislative amendments and legislative summaries.  Assists in preparing GMA’s annual legislative package.               

Serves as registered lobbyist for GMA at the Georgia General Assembly; duties would include, but are not limited to, attending committee meetings and legislative sessions, attending meetings of state agencies, conferring with local and state officials regarding GMA’s legislative policies and priorities, and lobbying for the passage or defeat of legislative bills and amendments as well as providing comment and input for proposed rules and regulations of state agencies.               

Tracks, reviews and analyzes legislative bills introduced in the Georgia General Assembly.

Prepares instructional materials and legal guides; conducts training sessions and seminars for GMA staff, at conferences and online as appropriate.

Organizes and teaches training sessions for elected and appointed city officials and attorneys on legal policies and technical issues affecting municipal government. Presents papers and speaks at local government legal seminars.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctorate required; experience as an attorney in local government preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.  Must possess current membership in the Georgia State Bar Association and license to practice before state and federal courts or be eligible and able to obtain same.