Deputy City Attorney

Job Description

Performs a variety of complex, high level administrative, technical, and professional work, conducts civil lawsuits, prepares, and reviews legal documents, advises city officials as to legal rights, obligations, practices, and other phases of applicable local, state, and federal law.

Exercises primary supervision over two (2) paralegals. Exercises supervision over the employees of the Legal Department during the absence of the City Attorney.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Provides leadership and direction in the development of short-range and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.

Provides professional advice to the City Council, department heads and city staff; makes presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public.

Communicates official plans, policies, and procedures to staff and the general public.

Issues written and oral instructions and opinions.

Handles all aspects of bankruptcy filings affecting the city.

Primary legal counsel to the Civil Service Commission; must attend all meetings.

Writes briefs, motions, gathers evidence and preps witnesses and written statements, and prepares for oral arguments and hearings in court. 

Primary liaison with outside counsel hired to defend the city in various lawsuits. Includes gathering documents and conducting interviews to respond to discovery and prepare for trial.

Receives, reviews, and responds to Public Information Act requests and subpoenas seeking information or documents from the city or seeking city staff’s appearance and testimony in court.

Performs or assists other legal staff members in performing duties; addresses errors and complaints.

Prepares a variety of studies, reports, and related information for decision-making purposes.

Assists department directors to see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed.

Advises the City Council of legal conditions and current and future trends; issues legal opinions.

Attends meetings of the Council or administration at which attendance may be required.

Secondary legal counsel to the City Council in the absence of the City Attorney. 

Approves ordinances, resolutions, and contracts as to legal form; provides legal advice as to substance.

Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc.; reviews documents prepared by other agencies or parties.

Advises city officials and staff of changes to state or federal laws affecting city operations.

 Conducts research, interviews clients, and witnesses and handles other details in preparation for trial.

Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of case.

Files briefs, motions, and other documents with courts, as needed.

Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for city officials and staff.

 Primary trainer on legal policies and issues. Coordinates training activities with appropriate Human Resources personnel.

Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings; serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and city officials on specialized legal issues.

Recommends for adoption by the council such measures as City Attorney may deem necessary or expedient.

Prepares and submits to the council such reports as may be required by that body or as the City Attorney may deem it advisable to submit.

Advises staff regarding municipal elections.

Makes site visitations to gather information.

Attends conferences, seminars.

Serves on various employee committees as needed.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Requires frequent use of personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet programs and internet use including computer legal research systems, calculator, telephone, copy machine, recorder, motor vehicle, and fax machine.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.