Litigation Associate Jobs in Thomson, GA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Probate Court - 325 East Washington Street, Suite 215, Athens, GA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-2505
Department: Probate Court
Division: Probate Court
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Closing Date: 7/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Purpose & Job Related Requirements
There is one vacant position, and the selected applicant will be placed as an Attorney Pending Bar Results, Associate Attorney I, Associate Attorney II, or Senior Attorney within the corresponding pay range depending upon qualifications. See Minimum Training and Experience Required below.
REPORTS TO: Clarke County Probate Judges
FLSA STATUS: Exempt - Professional
CLASSIFICATION: Non-Personnel System; Serves at the discretion of the Chief Judge
PAY GRADE: 121 - Attorney Pending Bar Results; 125 - Associate Attorney I; 127 - Associate Attorney II; 129 - Senior Attorney
SAFETY SENSITIVE: No
Purpose of Job
The purpose of this job is to assist the Clarke County Probate Court Judges in providing advisory, transactional, and litigation related legal services, docket and case management, and being a liaison to other county agencies and parties in pending litigation. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing cases for hearings and trial, preparing and analyzing briefs, reviewing motions and filings, scheduling cases for hearings and trial drafting orders, conducting legal research, evaluating contracts and deeds, providing legal counsel, assisting with oversight of court-appointed fiduciaries and performing additional tasks as assigned.
Job Related Requirements
WORK SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
May be required to work on religious holidays.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Must work cooperatively with others.
When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.
Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Attorney Pending Bar Results $66,330 - 79,014 (DOQ)
Minimum Requirements: Juris Doctorate required. Must possess a valid driver's license. Experience as a law clerk, law assistant, or paralegal preferred.
Attorney I $80,624 - $90,042 (DOQ)
Minimum Requirements: Juris Doctorate with at least two years of experience as a practicing attorney in two practice areas* required, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must be a member of the State Bar of Georgia and comply with all Continuing Legal Education requirements. Must possess a valid driver's license. Supervisory experience is preferred.
Attorney II $88,888 - $105886 (DOQ)Minimum Requirements: Juris Doctorate with at least four years of experience as a practicing attorney in three practice areas* required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must be a member of the State Bar of Georgia and comply with all Continuing Legal Education requirements. Must possess a valid driver's license. Supervisory experience is preferred.
Senior Attorney $98,000 - $116,740 (DOQ)
Minimum Requirements: Juris Doctorate with at least six years of experience as a practicing attorney is required with experience in four practice areas*, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must be a member of the State Bar of Georgia and comply with all Continuing Legal Education requirements. Must possess a valid driver's license. Supervisory experience is preferred.
*Law Practice Areas Note: A minimum of 12 months of experience in a practice area is required to be considered as a "practice area.
Litigation:
* Civil Litigation: Non Juvenile or Juvenile * Class Action/Multi-Party Litigation * Criminal (Non Juvenile) Litigation: Non Jury or Jury * Domestic Relations * Criminal (Juvenile) Litigation * Administrative Law/Proceedings * Criminal Prosecution: General or Juvenile * Appellate Practice * Conduct Grand Jury Presentations
Non-Litigation Practice:
* Draft Accusations/Indictments * Review Arrest/Search Warrants * Conduct Law Enforcement Training * Contracts *Accountability Courts * Landlord/Tenant * Real Estate, Property, Land Use (to include Title Searches and Eminent Domain) * Corporate Law * Elder Law/Guardianships * Probate, Wills, Estates and Trusts * Environmental Law/Game & Natural Resources
* Local Government Law (e.g., Ordinance Drafting, Open Records, Open Meetings, Policy Research) * Taxation * Torts/Premises Liability * Employment Law, Labor, Human Resources, Workers Compensation * Automobile Torts * General Tort * Bankruptcy * Post-Judgment Remedies * Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation * Insurance Law * Garnishment * Aviation Law * Medical Malpractice * Economic Development Law * Product Liability * Non-Profit Law * Construction Law * Housing & Community Development Law (e.g., Fair Housing Act, Federal Grant Administration) * Constitutional Law & Civil Rights (e.g., Discrimination, First Amendment, EEOC) * Zoning/Planning (including Planning Commission, Variances, Historic Preservation)
Essential Duties, Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Reviews all civil filings to determine appropriate courses of action. Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over decedent estates, adult and minor guardianships and conservatorships including their oversight and auditing fiduciary returns, compromise doubtful claims, civil mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse, dog classification appeals, some birth certificate amendments, missing persons and presumption of death, issuance of marriage licenses and weapons carry licenses.
Ensures that matters are promptly calendared by preparing scheduling orders, scheduling hearings, case status calendars, and trials. For cases proceeding to a jury trial, prepares scheduling orders that set discovery dates, motion deadlines, calendar calls, and jury trials. Monitors case progression to ensure efficient resolution in every case.
Creates invitations and hosts WebEx meetings that provide remote courtroom access for attendees as requested or needed.
Refers all appropriate civil cases to the Tenth District Office of Dispute Resolution for mediation.
Prepares cases for hearings and trials, reviews all petitions and motions, researches relevant legal issues by reviewing case law, statutes, and court rules, prepares briefs and memoranda, attends hearings and trials, evaluates oral arguments, provides legal opinions, and drafts orders.
Prepares cases for trial, reviews motions in limine, reviews proposed pretrial orders, reviews deposition designations, prepares voir dire questions, assists with trial management, researches issues that arise at trial, prepares jury charges, and prepares verdict form and judgments.
Reviews proposed orders and settlement agreements. Electronically files notices and orders entered, serves all relevant attorneys and parties.
Knowledge of and adherence to the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct and the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct.
Ability to monitor cases and provide administrative support using Probate Court's case management system.
Maintains and updates the probate court website.
Serves as a liaison between the Judges, other courts, other county departments, law enforcement agencies, state agencies, attorneys and members of the public; coordinates with these entities to ensure efficient and effective operation of the Court.
Provides legal research and counsel to judges; duties include rendering oral opinions, providing legal advice on government policies and procedures, reviewing deeds and contracts, researching case law, and conducting other legal services as requested. Prepares documentation to assist in the orderly administration of cases.
Conducts legal research by reviewing case law, legal opinions, codes, and statutes.
Provide supervisory oversight including: handling employee concerns, directing work assignments, counseling and disciplining employees when necessary, and providing input for employee performance appraisals and evaluations.
Reviews applications, selects, and supervises law student externs from the UGA externship program and other programs.
Negotiates settlements and consent orders in cases.
Provides administrative support to the office and judges when needed.
Reads legal journals and case law to maintain knowledge of the legal profession.
Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of legal practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
Knowledge of the development and administration of operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of the specific duties of the position.
Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, rules of court, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the job and especially Titles 9, 29 and 53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
Knowledge of resources for keeping informed of any changes in policy, methods, operations, and budgetary and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
Knowledge of and proficiency with computers, office equipment, software and technology.
Ability to deal effectively with organizational, management, human relations and technical subjects.
Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans, and activities and to monitor the performance of subordinates against measured, established goals.
Ability to develop and implement long-term goals for the department in order to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, management, employees, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the Unified Government as they relate to the Probate Court.
Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner.
Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing subordinates including the handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
Ability to handle the required mathematical and statistical calculations.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret federal and state laws, local ordinances and codes, tax maps and digests, plats, case law, legal handbooks, financial reports, real estate appraisals, and other materials.
Ability to use standard word processing and/or data base management software programs in performing administrative duties
Supplemental Information
(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computer equipment. Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.
DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisor.
LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires the ability to read a variety of legal, medical, and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare legal briefs and motions using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to groups of people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgments in the absence of management.
VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including legal terminology.
NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; utilize and determine percentages.
FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with office equipment.
MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using computer equipment. Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend,