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The City and County of Denver is seeking a City Attorney to lead and implement the Mayor’s Vision and Strategy for the City Attorney’s Office. The City Attorney is a member of the City and County of Denver’s executive body and is responsible for setting and operationalizing CCD’s broader vision, strategy, and goals to create a vibrant Denver.
The City Attorney’s Office serves as the legal adviser to the Mayor, City Council, City Auditor, City Clerk, Recorder and all City departments and agencies. Employing over 230 attorneys, paralegals, victim advocates, legal secretaries, and business operations professionals, the office handles a wide array of legal issues that impact the citizens of Denver and beyond. Our public law firm is the most diverse practice of any law firm in the state and together, we strive to be the best public law office in the country.
As the City Attorney you will set the strategic direction and vision and lead the fiscal and operational strategy of the City Attorney’s Office to drive high impact, equitable outcomes for the City and County of Denver.
We are committed to delivering exemplary services to citizens and drive business outcomes that best serve the public interest. A successful candidate will be someone who can generate innovative and nuanced solutions to complex challenges, provide strategic vision, anticipate challenges, and assess the effectiveness of our work.
Please note, all City and County of Denver Appointee positions will be in-person roles. We believe we can listen better, learn more, and act faster when we are able to build strong relationships in the same physical space. With this in mind, we do our work together in person. We value in-person interactions. Our office is not remote.
The salary range for this chartered position is $216,061 and is subject to City Council confirmation.
We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which includes but is not limited to:
A guaranteed life-long monthly pension
457B Retirement plan
132 hours of PTO earned within first year + 13 Paid Holidays per year
Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
Additionally, the City Attorney is responsible for:
Legal Advice and Counsel: The City Attorney for the City of Denver is responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to the Mayor, City Council, and various city departments. This includes interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and ordinances, and providing guidance on legal issues related to city operations and decision-making.
Litigation and Legal Representation: The City Attorney is responsible for representing the City of Denver in legal proceedings, including civil litigation, administrative hearings, and appeals. This involves preparing legal documents, conducting legal research, and presenting arguments on behalf of the city in court.
Contract Review and Negotiation: The City Attorney oversees the review, negotiation, and drafting of contracts, agreements, and other legal documents entered into by the City of Denver. They ensure that contracts comply with applicable laws, protect the city's interests, and address any potential legal risks.
Legislative Support: The City Attorney assists in the development and review of proposed legislation and ordinances, providing legal analysis and guidance to City Council members and staff. They help ensure that proposed laws are legally sound and consistent with existing regulations.
Risk Management and Compliance: The City Attorney identifies potential legal risks and develops strategies to mitigate them. They work closely with city departments to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and provide training and guidance on legal issues to city employees.
Ethics and Conflict of Interest: The City Attorney plays a key role in promoting and enforcing ethical conduct within the city government. They provide guidance on ethical standards, review financial disclosures, and investigate and address conflicts of interest or other ethical violations.
Legal Research and Policy Development: The City Attorney conducts legal research on a wide range of issues impacting the city, including emerging legal trends and case law. They assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with changing legal requirements and best practices.
What You'll Bring
The ideal candidate for the City Attorney position will possess some or all of the following:
- Progressively responsible legal experience including experience in a senior leadership role in a large and complex legal setting
- Demonstrated experience in municipal law including litigation, regulatory compliance, contracts, public policy, and Public Private Partnerships
- Proven track record of managing and leading legal teams, with strong organizational and leadership skills
- In-depth understanding of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies affecting municipal governance
- Exceptional legal research, writing, and communication skills
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
- Ability to effectively navigate complex legal and political environments while providing clear and strategic guidance
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the delivery of legal services
- Ability to work collaboratively with elected officials, senior leadership, and a diverse array of stakeholders
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Education requirement: Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school
- Experience Requirement: A minimum of five (5) years' experience in the active practice of law
- Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted
- License/Certifications: Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6
- Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment
Application Deadline
This position is expected to stay open until March 28, 2025. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than March 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
To be considered for this position, you must include a resume on your job application. You can upload your Resume/CV as an attachment on the My Experience tab.
Job Profile
HL1411 City AttorneyTo view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.
Position Type
UnlimitedPosition Salary Range
$0.00 - $0.00Starting Pay
Agency
City Attorney's OfficeThe City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.
Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.
For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.
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