Assistant or Senior Assistant City Attorney - Civil

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Assistant City Attorney – Civil:

• Hiring range: $99,204.78 - $124,005.97/year
• Full Compensation Grade: $99,204.78 - $155,007.46/year

Assistant Attorney Senior – Civil:

• Hiring Range: $122,612.84 - $153,266.05/year
• Full Compensation Grade: $122,612.84 - $191,582.56/year

The deadline to submit an application to this position is Sunday, December 1st, 2024. However, it is subject to close at any time once a qualified pool of applications is received.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Litigation Section of the Aurora City Attorney’s Office, Civil Division, is seeking two (2) litigators to join its growing team of talented legal professionals. The individuals will represent the City of Aurora and its employees in civil litigation filed in Colorado state and federal courts. The most frequently filed lawsuits include claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Colorado Law Enforcement Integrity Act, Colorado tort law, matters which implicate the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, and other miscellaneous civil matters. The individuals will be expected to handle civil trials in state and federal courts, both as lead counsel and in assisting roles. The individuals will have ownership of the cases from filing through appeal. The individuals may also have a role in advising the claims department or providing training to City employees, including Safety Agencies.

One position will be hired at the Senior level, the other position will be dependent upon the successful candidate’s qualifications and will either be classified as an Assistant City Attorney or Senior Assistant City Attorney.

Applicants must be licensed to practice law by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing, or be able to obtain it within six months of the start of employment. The City Attorney’s Office follows a hybrid work structure where employees have some required days in the office (both scheduled and as needed for case-related tasks), but otherwise can work remotely or from the office, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Effective the first day of employment, the individuals selected must maintain Colorado residency.

All applications must include a Writing Sample, Resume, and Cover Letter. Any applications received without these items will not be reviewed.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs legal research and can succinctly draft persuasive pleadings, informative memoranda, and audience-appropriate correspondence
• Ability to serve as lead counsel and in assisting roles in all aspects of litigation, including preparation of pleadings; preparation of discovery requests, responses and objections; handling court hearings; taking and defending depositions; securing experts; interviewing witnesses; updating clients; and handling trial
• Ability to serve as lead counsel and in assisting roles in all aspects of appeals, including drafting briefs and handling oral arguments
• Advises and consults with City staff on legal matters -- determining the nature of legal problems and counseling based on legal expertise and experience
• Act as legal counsel to the Risk Department, including providing legal advice on claims matters, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, worker’s compensation matters, and other matters as needed
• Represents City staff or the City Attorney's office in administrative hearings, including civil service and career service matters
• Act as a leader by proactively supporting and implementing a culture change strategy
• Continuously challenge the status quo of how to conduct business with clients and develop solutions to improve productivity and client satisfaction
• Responds to requests from City staff and members of City Council and presents information during City Council executive session
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• Graduation from an accredited law school.

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Applicants must be licensed to practice by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing, or be able to obtain licensure in Colorado within six months of the start of employment
• Applicants must be eligible to become admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of Colorado, if not already admitted to practice in the District
• Applicants must be eligible to become admitted to practice in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, if not already admitted to practice in the Circuit 

Experience:

            For Assistant City Attorney:

• 3 years of experience in civil litigation - Required
• Prior experience assisting in trial or in evidentiary hearings--Preferred
• Subject matter experience litigating Section 1983 cases in federal court - Preferred
• Subject matter experience with the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act – Preferred
• Subject matter experience with the Law Enforcement Integrity Act - Preferred
• Subject matter experience with Colorado Tort Law - Preferred

For Senior Assistant City Attorney:

• 7 years of experience in civil litigation – Required
• Prior experience acting as lead counsel or in a major assisting role in trials or evidentiary hearings--Required
• Subject matter experience litigating Section 1983 cases in federal court - Preferred
• Subject matter experience with the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act – Preferred
• Subject matter experience with the Law Enforcement Integrity Act - Preferred
• Subject matter experience with Colorado Tort Law – Preferred

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the basic substantive areas of law handled by the section, the ability to conduct legal research, and write briefs
• Knowledge of procedural rules Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, local court rules, and Federal Judicial Practice Standards
• Utilizes knowledge and abilities obtained through law school education and prior legal experience to conduct research, draft legal documents, provide sound advice to City staff, and/or participate in litigation

Skills: 

• Substantial skill in pleadings practice
• Skill in legal research
• Motivation, ability and perseverance for daily courtroom/litigation duties
• Teamwork, professionalism, positive attitude
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Skill in the use of windows-based programs
• Skilled in the use of Westlaw legal research platform
• Strong customer service skills

Abilities: 

• Ability to effectively litigate civil cases
• Demonstrated knowledge of human behavior, and ability to effectively counsel, train, interview, and imbue others with an opinion or understanding of a concept
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary physical work that involves moving no more than 10 pounds at a time

• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
• Clear vision to read, recording, and interpret information
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
• Occasional pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping.

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment; in an office or courtroom
• The City Attorney’s Office currently follows a hybrid work structure where employees have some required days in the office (both scheduled and as needed for case related tasks), but otherwise can work remotely or from the office, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. This structure is subject to change, depending on the direction from City Council.
• The City Attorney’s office is a collegial work environment that is committed to providing excellent legal services to its clients, and supporting their efforts to better serve the citizens of the City of Aurora

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computers and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, and menu driven databases.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.