In-House Counsel/Legal Director

JOB DESCSRIPTION

In-House Counsel/Legal Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Full time

Pay Grade:M-16

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Reports to Mayor

Supervision Given: Does not have direct supervision

DESCRIPTION

Oversee the City's legal activities to include management of out-sourced attorneys.  Provides legal guidance to various departments and City Council on various subject matters.  This position requires a highly experienced executive level attorney who can provide expert assistance and solid legal advice. The City Attorney shall be the department head for the Department of Law and shall be responsible for the City Council, the Mayor and all City Departments, and various boards and commissions. The City Attorney is appointed by, serves at the pleasure of and reports directly to the Mayor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervises the conduct of all the legal business of the City and its departments;
• Drafts ordinance proposals and approves language as to form as directed by Council;
• Prepares and advises on leases, deeds, contracts, or other papers as may be required by the Mayor, Council or any department;
• Furnishes written legal opinions when requested by the Mayor or the Council
• Defends all actions or proceedings against the City;
• Prosecutes all civil actions to which the City is a party or in which the City has interest, when directed to do so by the Mayor;
• Represents any elective officer or appointee of the City in any action or proceeding involving official duties;
• Ensures that all laws, the City Charter, and ordinances are legally executed and enforced;
• Attends meetings of the Council as requested by Mayor or Council; and
• Performs other duties assigned by resolution
   

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctor degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years practicing law with three (3) years in municipality OR three (3) years of state and federal trial practice with no municipal experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of state and federal law and its practical application in a variety of specialties of municipal law, including contract law, real estate law, and other typical municipal matters, as well as considerable skill, experience and proficiency in presentation and arguments of civil and criminal trial cases.
• Extensive experience in the State of Michigan municipal law, including state and federal trial practice, appellate practice and representation before administrative tribunals, and experience as former jurist, or city attorney of a municipality.
• Experience must include several of the following; civil or criminal trials, administrative hearings, code enforcement, environmental and land use, public contracts, public purchasing, environmental and land use, public finance, real estate, employment law, advising clients on complex and highly visible matters, trial experience and supervisory experience. 
• A valid Michigan Driver’s License. Driving record must meet the City’s standards for insurability.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or 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.