What does an assistant county attorney do?
An assistant county attorney handles and represents cases involving the county. Part of their job includes assisting the county attorney by preparing and processing the necessary documents, conducting research and interviews, gathering and verifying pieces of evidence, and coordinating with staff as needed. They also participate in offering and providing legal advice to different departments and officials, including the public. Moreover, an assistant county attorney must maintain an active communication line with the office staff and the county attorney for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Assistant county attorney responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real assistant county attorney resumes:
- Manage employment litigation in defense of organization, including wrongful termination, discrimination and retaliation claims.
- Render legal advice concerning matters not in litigation but require prompt action to avoid litigation.
- Represent county departments in administrative proceedings including contract bid protests and appeals of county-issu permits such as floodplain development permits.
- Evaluate all incoming record requests and subpoenas.
- Prepare petitions, subpoenas, and motions for court.
- Represent government agency in civil child protection proceedings including appeals.
- Conduct investigations into narcotics relate multiple homicides and contract killings as well as other high profile homicide investigations.
- Initiate discovery; take depositions, cross-examination witnesses.
Assistant county attorney skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Assistant County Attorneys are proficient in Legal Research, Litigation, and Legal Advice. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Assistant County Attorneys that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Legal Research, 14%
Conducted legal research on a variety of issues, including Specific Performance of Contracts, Rent Deeds, and Damages etc.
- Litigation, 12%
Rendered legal advice concerning matters not in litigation but required prompt action to avoid litigation.
- Legal Advice, 6%
Provided training, legal advice and updates on current law to key stakeholders.
- Bench Trials, 5%
Tried 22 bench trials for crimes, such as drug or weapon possession, bail violations, theft, and simple assault
- Appeals, 5%
Represent county departments in administrative proceedings including contract bid protests and appeals of county-issued permits such as floodplain development permits.
- Legal Issues, 5%
Provide twice a year training to animal control officers from around the state in legal issues relating to animal control.
"legal research," "litigation," and "legal advice" are among the most common skills that assistant county attorneys use at work. You can find even more assistant county attorney responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for an assistant county attorney to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "lawyers interpret the law as it applies to their client’s case." Additionally, an assistant county attorney resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "conceived, designed, and implemented document imaging and litigation management database. "
Interpersonal skills. Many assistant county attorney duties rely on interpersonal skills. "lawyers must build relationships with current and prospective clients, as well as with their colleagues and other members of the legal community.," so an assistant county attorney will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways assistant county attorney responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "leveraged interpersonal skills to explain to juries complex legal issues and obtain convictions. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of assistant county attorneys is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday assistant county attorney duties, as "lawyers must evaluate information to propose viable solutions, mediate disputes, and reach agreements or settlements for their clients." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "experience includes all aspects of civil trial practice: discovery, legal research, motions, trials and alternate dispute resolution. "
Research skills. A big part of what assistant county attorneys do relies on "research skills." You can see how essential it is to assistant county attorney responsibilities because "lawyers need to find laws and regulations that apply to a specific matter in order to provide appropriate legal advice for their clients." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical assistant county attorney tasks: "conducted legal research and presented written arguments. "
The three companies that hire the most assistant county attorneys are:
- Arlington County, VA2 assistant county attorneys jobs
- Ramsey County2 assistant county attorneys jobs
- STG International1 assistant county attorneys jobs
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Assistant county attorney vs. Bankruptcy specialist
The bankruptcy specialist is responsible for filing and documentation loan bankruptcy materials with the appropriate attorneys. They ensure full compliance with loan bankruptcy regulations and monitor accounts throughout the loan bankruptcy process to contact the appropriate party when necessary. A bankruptcy specialist might be an administrator or lawyer in a bankruptcy office and supports bankruptcy law. They are likely to evaluate state declaration and affidavits for legal progression, interact with customers and outside counsel about bankruptcy proceedings through written and verbal communication, and work with local counsel and upper management in effectively reviewing client's files.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between assistant county attorneys and bankruptcy specialist. For instance, assistant county attorney responsibilities require skills such as "legal research," "legal advice," "bench trials," and "appeals." Whereas a bankruptcy specialist is skilled in "relief," "pacer," "foreclosure," and "msp." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Bankruptcy specialists tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $47,222. In contrast, assistant county attorneys make the biggest average salary, $110,333, in the professional industry.bankruptcy specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than assistant county attorneys. In fact, bankruptcy specialists are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 49.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Assistant county attorney vs. Legal extern
Legal externs are law students who took the opportunity to do on-the-job training at a law firm. Instead of monetary compensation, they receive academic credits. Legal externs primarily engage in job shadowing. They are usually assigned mentors in the law firm, and they would shadow their mentors in their daily routines. Legal externs are exposed to the actual work done by lawyers. Legal externs are involved in cases, providing insights while building a solid case for their client, giving advice to clients, and representing clients under the supervision of the actual lawyers in the firm. They are usually not given administrative or clerical tasks since they are expected to do more tasks directly related to being a lawyer.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, assistant county attorney responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "bench trials," "appeals," "legal opinions," and "defense counsel." Meanwhile, a legal extern has duties that require skills in areas such as "legal intern," "legal memos," "pre-trial motions," and "powerpoint." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, legal externs earn a lower salary than assistant county attorneys. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, legal externs earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $69,693. Whereas assistant county attorneys have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $110,333.legal externs earn similar levels of education than assistant county attorneys in general. They're 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 49.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant county attorney vs. Litigation associate
A Litigation Associate offers legal advice for individuals involved in lawsuits and represents them in court. They prepare pleading, collect evidence, defend depositions, and manage the client database.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from assistant county attorney resumes include skills like "legal advice," "child support," "legal opinions," and "criminal cases," whereas a litigation associate is more likely to list skills in "law firm," "commercial litigation," "discovery motions," and "insurance coverage. "
Litigation associates earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $151,203. Assistant county attorneys earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $110,333.Most litigation associates achieve a similar degree level compared to assistant county attorneys. For example, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 5.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant county attorney vs. Council member
Even though a few skill sets overlap between assistant county attorneys and council members, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an assistant county attorney might have more use for skills like "legal research," "litigation," "legal advice," and "bench trials." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of council members require skills like "public policy," "finance committee," "community outreach," and "alumni. "
In general, council members hold higher degree levels compared to assistant county attorneys. Council members are 9.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 46.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of assistant county attorney
Updated January 8, 2025











