Deputy City Attorney

The City of Everett is accepting applications for the appointive position of Deputy City Attorney. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the City Attorney, provide a variety of legal services to all departments and divisions of the city including City Administration and the City Council.  This position acts as or represents the City Attorney in his/her absence.  Responsibilities include overseeing litigation, representing the city in litigations and participating in short- and long-range planning for the city to assure proper consideration of legal issues.  Work is reviewed through conferences and on the basis of results obtained.  Supervision is exercised over a staff of legal professionals and administrative employees in the absence of the City Attorney. There are two Deputy City Attorneys.  

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This position works with limited supervision to provide legal interpretations and render legal opinions and oversees complex and/or high-profile issues. This position independently serves as the primary trusted legal advisor for multiple City departments or divisions with minimal supervision or assistance. The Deputy City Attorney acts on behalf of the City Attorney in the City Attorney’s absence.

Why Everett?

Working for City government is personally rewarding for those looking to make an impact at the community level. As an employer, we advocate for employee professional growth, and value work-life balance.

The City of Everett is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our goal is to recruit and hire capable and engaged job candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.

The City provides excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and basic life insurance plans. Employees will also accrue vacation, sick, and holidays throughout the calendar year. For more information on benefits for this position, click here: Appointive Benefits.

As a part of our commitment to supporting work-life balance, all newly hired Appointive personnel receive five days (40 hours) of vacation leave upon hire and accrue an additional 14 days (112 hours) in their first year of service.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide legal advice to guide city policies, decisions and activities; prepare or direct the preparation of ordinances, resolutions, deeds and contracts; prepare other legal documents for the city.

• Attend City Council meetings and give advice upon request; review legal propriety of documents under consideration by City Council or city administrative officials.

• Represent and advise City Council, Administration and/or other city departments in litigation and/or hearings as required; conduct discovery, motions, oral argument and witness examination.   Experience with Public Records Act and land use preferred. 

• Direct or participate in the drafting and review of letters, ordinances, contracts, resolutions, policies, real estate documents and other legal documents to ensure proper wording, compliance with applicable laws, the carrying out of the city's intent, the limitation of the city's liability and the protection of the city's interest. 

• Evaluate and award legal contracts to outside counsel; assign, direct and manage outside counsel work to assure compliance with specifications, city policies, timelines and legal requirements.

• Review proposed and enacted state and federal legislation for impact upon the city; recommend appropriate responses where necessary to protect the city's legal interests; analyze legal trends and developments impacting the city and recommend appropriate responses to actions; draft proposed local, state and federal legislation.

• Provide expert professional opinions, services and recommendations to City Administration, City Council and departments on a variety of legal matters to ensure proper fulfillment of city functions and compliance with the law.

• Resolve claims and disputes prior to litigation.   Negotiate cases to enhance opportunities for settlement in lieu of further litigation.

• Research, prepare and present cases for trial and/or appellate proceedings using legal reference materials, and AI as appropriate.   Provide interpretation of city codes and policies.

• Assist in the preparation of annual and special budgets.

• Supervise and train staff and attorneys as directed by the City Attorney.

• Perform related work and special projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Municipal law, including torts, contracts, land use, , constitutional law, government/administrative law and municipal finance.

• Theory, structure and practice of municipal law, particularly as it applies to municipal government.

• Civil litigation and appellate techniques.

• Principal methods, materials and practices of legal research and investigation, including use of AI.

• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures. 

Skill Level:

• Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other departments and city staff, city officials and the public.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Proficient research and documentation skills.

• Proficient in the use of software applications.

• Proficient in the identification of problems, analysis of alternatives and providing sound recommendations.

Ability to:

• Exercise a high degree of independent and discretionary judgment, problem solving and decision making relating to assigned duties.

• Work with City representatives on complex legal and policy issues in a public setting where different objectives and/or adversarial viewpoints may exist.

• Negotiate settlements in a variety of circumstances.

• Represent the city at contested hearings and trials.

• Communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.

• Review and evaluate complex data and make appropriate recommendations.

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other city staff, and the public and relate to others in a courteous and respectful manner.   Interact with others utilizing tact, patience and courtesy.

• Handle confidential information and material with the highest degree of professional responsibility.

• Establish and maintain an accurate, complete and confidential record-keeping system.

• Read, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Prepare legal documents and ordinances.

• Use judgment and initiative in carrying out operations within a general set of rules, regulations, and legal prescriptions.

• Attend and participate at evening meetings.

• Attend and participate in court proceedings.

• Maintain a work environment free of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

• Support diversity and multi-cultural understanding in the workplace.

• Resolve conflicts and negotiate efficiently.

• Work safely and in compliance with Federal and State laws, city policy and standards.

• Review and evaluate complex data and make appropriate recommendations.

• Prepare and make presentations in a persuasive manner to various audiences.

For a full description of this position, please see the class specifications on the City’s website for Deputy City Attorney.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

A combination of education and related experience may substitute for education requirements.

• Education: Graduate from an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of active full-time experience as an attorney practicing in areas of public sector law (e.g., public works, open public meetings and public records, land use, real property, public finance, public contracts and procurement, employment and labor law, public safety (police and fire), utilities). Municipal law experience strongly preferred. 

• Or in place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to quickly and proficiently learn and perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

All interested applicants are required to submit:

• City of Everett online employment application

• A Cover Letter

• A Resume 

Candidates will be contacted throughout this process via email and should periodically check their spam folders for messages filtered by their email providers. 

PROCEDURES/DEADLINE

Application materials may be accessed via http://www.everettwa.gov/careers.Completed applications must be submitted through the City’s online application system.  INCOMPLETE, FAXED, OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

Filing Opens: May 11, 2026

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

APPOINTIVE

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