Assistant Attorney Lead - Criminal

The deadline to submit applications is January 2nd, 2026. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT 

The classification involves the prosecution of City ordinance violations, including negotiations, motions, trial practice and appeals. Applicants must be members, in good standing, of the Colorado Bar. 

As an Assistant City Attorney, you will utilize your knowledge and abilities obtained through law school education and municipal, governmental or private experience to conduct research, draft legal documents and prosecute cases in the Aurora Municipal Court, through the Criminal Division of the City Attorney's Office. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Serves as a criminal trial and appellate attorney in the Criminal Division 

• Conducts research for trials and appellate briefs 

• Enters into plea negotiations with defendants or their attorneys during pretrial conferences 

• Interviews victims and witnesses of crimes 

• Performs a wide variety of legal projects for the City Attorney's Office and Municipal Court 

• Prepares and tries cases of city code violations 

• Prepares pleadings, undertakes discovery and drafts appeals 

• Provides direct legal service on a variety of matters concerning and/or related to the Charter, Ordinances, or rules and regulations of the City 

• Researches legal casework pertinent to ongoing legal matters 

• Searches for, reads, and analyzes legal newsletters, journals, ordinances, books, and case notes pertinent to on-going legal matters 

• Advises and consults with City staff on legal matters; determining the nature of legal problems, and offers counsel based on legal expertise and experience 

• Conducts research for trials and appellate briefs 

• Drafts City Code provisions, legal opinions, and ordinances and resolutions for review of City Attorney 

• Responds to requests from City staff and members of City Council 

• Enters into plea negotiations with defendants or their attorneys during pretrial conferences 

• Interviews victims and witnesses of crimes 

• Performs a wide variety of legal projects for the City Attorney's Office and Municipal Court 

• Reviews contracts for compliance with City code and other applicable laws and precedents 

• Searches for, reads, and analyzes legal newsletters, journals, ordinances, books, and case notes pertinent to on-going legal matters 

• May serve as a criminal trial and appellate attorney in Criminal Division 

• Performs other related duties as assigned 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of 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. 

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. Must be a member, in good standing, of the Colorado Bar 

Experience:   

• 5 years of experience with negotiations, trials, and appeals of municipal ordinance violations 

Licenses and Certifications Required:   

• Must be a member, in good standing, of the Colorado Bar Association. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• None 

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of the basic principles of law, the ability to conduct legal research, and write briefs 

• Thorough knowledge of the Colorado Revised Statutes, as pertinent to city government, Rules of Evidence, the Aurora Municipal Code, local court rules and Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure 

• Utilizes knowledge and abilities obtained through law school education and municipal, governmental or private experience to conduct research, draft legal documents and prosecute cases 

• Utilizes knowledge of municipal procedures, organizational frameworks, administrative policies, trial procedure, etc., to carry out assigned duties 

• Demonstrated knowledge of human behavior 

Skills:   

• Strong interpersonal skills and motivation 

• Skill in the use of windows-based programs 

• Strong customer service skills 

• Skill in customer relations, crisis communications management, and public speaking 

• Substantial skill in pleadings practice 

• Skilled in legal research, strong interpersonal skills  

• Skilled in teamwork, professionalism, and positive attitude 

Abilities:   

• 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  

• Ability and perseverance for daily courtroom/litigation duties  

• Effectively prosecute violators of municipal ordinances 

• Ability to effectively counsel, train, interview, and imbue others with an opinion or understanding of a concept 

• High energy, positive “can do” attitude with a high level of accountability for driving results 

• Strong focus on customer needs and approachability 

• Undisputed integrity and trust 

• Excellent problem solving, negotiating and communication skills 

• Ability to effectively deal with change and ambiguity 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively build relationships and manage conflict 

• High learning agility, driven to continuously develop existing and new skills 

• Ability to work effectively within and to contribute to a team approach to providing legal services 

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 lifting, carrying, walking and standing 

• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending and stooping 

• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents 

• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens 

• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard, carts and moveable shelving 

• occasional lifting, carrying, walking and standing; frequent hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment; vision for reading, recording and interpreting information; frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens 

Work Environment: 

• Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment; in an office or courtroom 

Equipment Used: 

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer 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