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Job Description
Salary
- Description
The Office of the City Attorney, Honors Attorneys Program is designed to provide recent law school graduates, and recent graduates who have completed judicial clerkships, the opportunity to gain hands-on, government law experience in a wide range of substantive legal areas related to municipal law practice.
The City of West Linn, Office of the City Attorney, is accepting applications for an Honors Attorney Position. Placement could begin as early as June 2025, but may be extended to August 2025 depending on applicant start availability.
Over the course of a one-year employment term, the Honors Attorney will work with the City Attorney and dedicated City staff on legal, policy, and communications issues in the substantive areas detailed below.
The Honors Attorney must be available to work in-person at City Hall in West Linn, Oregon. Hybrid/partially-remote options can be made available, subject to workload and department needs.
About the City of West Linn
A southern suburb of the Portland Metropolitan Area, West Linn, Oregon is bordered by the Willamette and Tualatin rivers and features scenic views of Willamette Falls, the largest falls in the state. The community has earned recognition as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation for 30 consecutive years.
Today, the City covers 8 square miles, is home to 27,100 residents, and has a median household income of $119,415. Ranked as the #1 “Safest City in Oregon” by Safewise in 2023, locals enjoy a safe, welcoming community that promotes livability and sustainability.
The City offers 32 parks comprising 600 acres and 25 miles of trails. The junction of the Wilamette and Tualatin Rivers provides hours of enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many family-friendly events held in West Linn, such as Movies and Music in the Park, an Ugly Holiday Sweater Dash, Community Tree Lighting, family dances, scavenger hunts, the Willamette River Polar Plunge, and an Old Time Fair.
Local businesses primarily consist of service and retail-oriented businesses with a limited number of industrial employers. The largest non-manufacturing employers are the West Linn Wilsonville School District and the City itself. City leaders are committed to creating a business-friendly environment that endeavors to retain, strengthen and expand the existing business base.
West Linn operates with a Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor and four City Councilors are elected at-large and serve staggered four-year terms. During monthly Council Meetings, they operate as a board of directors for the City by establishing policy and providing direction to the City Manager. West Linn operates under a biennial budget of nearly $137 million.- Examples of Duties
The Honors Attorney role is designed to directly support the City Attorney with her daily responsibilities of advising the Mayor, City Councilors, City Manager, and numerous City Departments: Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Municipal Court, IT, Facility Services, Public Works & Engineering, Community Development (land use), Police, Streets, Water, Wastewater & Stormwater, Parks & Recreation, and Library Services.
Throughout the course of the year, the Honors Attorney will gain familiarity with many, if not all, of the following areas of municipal law:- Real Estate
- Land Use
- Urban Renewal
- Environmental Regulations
- Housing
- Transportation
- Public Finance
- Economic Development
- Utilities
- Franchises
- Public Records
- Public Meetings
- Grants
- Contracts
- Procurements
- Intellectual Property
- Government Ethics
- Civil Rights
- Labor
- Employment
- Torts
- Risk Management
- Workers’ Compensation
- Ballot Measures/Bond Measures
- Legislation/Ordinance Drafting
- Litigation
- 75% of work: legal research/legislative history research on a variety of legal topics; assisting with drafting memos, pleadings, resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and email communications; oral communication and fact-gathering with department employees; participation in settlement negotiations or mediation, trial preparation, and post-trial proceedings; exposure to risk management and insurance practices; attendance at City Council Meetings or Planning Commission meetings; introduction to budget preparation and management; assisting with trainings or presentations for boards, commissions, and City Council.
- 25% of work – serving as an executive assistant to the City Attorney, responsible for legal office administration tasks, including cataloging and learning to prioritize legal requests as they are received; handling meeting and scheduling requests, registrations, and reimbursements; binder preparation; record retention/legal file maintenance; and other organizational assignments.
- Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited college or university.
- Must be admitted to the Oregon State Bar (or expected to be admitted shortly after employment).
- Ideal candidate is a recent law school graduate, including those who have or are serving as judicial law clerks. Applicants who have already practiced law are eligible, but will be expected to carry out the 25% administrative support component of the position.
- Genuine interest in municipal/local governmental law and public service.
- Possesses exceptional Westlaw/Lexis legal research skills, and legal writing skills.
- Can identify and summarize complex legal matters and risks, clearly and concisely.
- A demonstrated self-starter, who is organized, trustworthy, pays meticulous attention to detail, and works well with others.
- Flexible with changing assignments and priorities.
- Acts with professionalism and integrity.
- Supplemental Information
Compensation and Benefits
- SALARY: Grade 2, Step 4-7 depending on experience: $76,862-$88,614 annual salary. (Total compensation package with comprehensive medical benefits, PERS, deferred compensation, and cellphone stipend amounts to approximately $142,000 - $159,000 per year.
- RETIREMENT/PENSION (Defined Benefit Program) – the City is enrolled in Oregon PERS and pays both the employer and employee contributions.
- MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION – 90% City paid.
- ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULE – Hybrid/partially remote schedule can be developed with the approval of the City Attorney.
- HOLIDAYS – 11 paid holidays per year.
- VACATION LEAVE – Accrue 5.23 hours per pay period, available for use immediately.
- OTHER BENEFITS include Life, AD&D, LTD Insurance, HRA-Veba, Educational Assistance.
Required Application Materials include:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Law School Transcript
- Two Writing Samples:
- Example of a legal memo.
- Example of short research memo/email advice.
- *These should be applicants sole work product without edits made or suggested by another person; if this sample is not available, please explain who has edited and in what context.
- References
- An attorney that has overseen/is familiar with your legal work within the last year.
- Any professional or supervisor who is familiar with your work.
- Your 1L legal writing professor.
An application missing any of the above items (without explanation at submission) is incomplete and will not be considered.
Application Tips
- Please attach documents in PDF format.
- Contact Julie Morris at 503-722-4713 with questions.
- Ensure materials are submitted by closing date.
The City of West Linn is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Some positions require per-employment drug testing, passing a medical exam and/or a police background check. Job related reference checks will be conducted prior to employment being offered.
EEO Policy: The City of West Linn in committed to equal employment opportunity as a way to recruit, hire and retain the most qualified employees. Moreover, it is the intent of the City to actively support and comply with local, state and federal law.
We conform to all the laws, statues and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veterans status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.
Veterans Preference: The City of West Linn provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD 214 or 215) at the time of application, providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs at the time of the application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215
- $76,862 - $88,614/year
